How Fiji jersey inspired Maria's breakout season

Maria Paseka has revealed how the experience of helping Fiji qualify for Rugby League World Cup 2026 in Canada last year inspired her breakout NRLW season with the Dragons.

Paseka, who has been named in an extended Bulikula squad, has been one of St George Illawarra’s best players this season - scoring three tries and running an average 106m per game with the ball in her nine NRLW appearances so far. 

The 20-year-old scored a hat-trick of tries in her international debut against Canada in last year’s inaugural Women's IRL World Series and crossed for a try in the final against Nigeria.

Paseka, who is set to play alongside the likes of Cronulla’s Talei Holmes and Cassie Staples, Wests Tigers playmaker Losana Lutu and Roosters utility Taina Naividi at the World Cup, said the experience had boosted her confidence ahead of the NRLW season.

“I have taken a lot from that experience with Fiji,” said Paseka, who will again play on the wing for the Dragons in their final NRLW Match against the Sharks at Allianz Stadium on Saturday night.

“To play with different girls from other NRLW teams and especially playing with the other girls that are from Fiji helped me get to know my culture a bit more, and I think the whole experience has helped me with my confidence this year.”

Fiji, who have a new coach in Jone Wesele, were the last team to secure their place at RLWC26.

After losing a qualifying play-off against Samoa in 2024, the Bulikula had to travel to Ottawa for the World Series against Canada, Ireland and Nigeria last October.

“We played Canada and we were able to beat them, and then we played Nigeria to make that final spot for World Cup,” Paseka said.

“A lot of people don’t even know that Canada and Nigeria play rugby league, so it's good to see the game is getting introduced now in those countries, and it's good to see a lot of the girls there playing rugby league.

"The playing field that we played on was synthetic so that was a bit different, and we came back with a lot of scratches, bumps, and bruises, but it was all worth it.

“At the end of the day, we wanted to play for our country and play for our family and get that spot into World Cup, and that's what we did.”

Fiji are in Group B along with New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and France.

The Bulikula will kick of their World Cup campaign against the Kiwi Ferns at Newcastle’s McDonald Jones Stadium on October 18 in a doubleheader with the Bati’s match against Cook Islands.

They then travels to Port Moresby to take on the Orchids on October 24 before meeting France in their final match of the pool stages at Gold Coast’s Cbus Super Stadium on October 31.

“They are all going to be tough games but I think we will have good support wherever we play,” Paseka said.

“We’ve just got to play our best and our hardest, and we'll be thinking about our families and who we play for.”

The 23-player Bulikula squad for RLWC26 will be announced on October 4.

Fiji Bulikula squad

Naomi Tegu (USP Raiders FJ), Cassie Staples FB/Wing (NRLW Cronulla Sharks), Isabella Waterman Wing/Centre (NRLW Canberra Raiders), Tanina Naividi FB/Wing/Centre (NRLW Sydney City Roosters), Maria Paseka wing (NRLW St George Illawara Dragons), Salote Vuniwaqa Centre (Namoli Tigers Fiji), Vitorina Toga Hooker (Namoli Tigers Fiji), Losana Lutu Halves (NRLW West Tigers), Sereana Naitokatoka Halves (NRLW Canberra Raiders), Latisha Smythe Middle/Edge (NRLW Canterbury Bulldogs), Mereseini Tareguci Edge/Middle (Lami Steelers Fiji), Talei Holmes Lock (NRLW Cronulla Sharks), Tamika Jones Middle/Edge (NRLW Canterbury Bulldogs), Leilani Ahsam Lock (NSWRL Cronulla Sharks), Luisa Yaranamu Five-eighth (NSWRL South Sydney Rabbitohs), Kinisalote Vusawa Halves (Vusu Raiders Fiji), Reape Matai middle (USP Raiders Fiji), Rory Muller Hooker (NSWRL South Sydney Rabbitohs), Jezebel Navusolo Centre (NSWRL St George Dragons), Temalesi Natuituba Edge/Middle ( Police Sharks Fiji), Nanise Vakacavu Edge (NSWRL Cronulla Sharks), Siniva Sa’anga Halves (NSWRL Wentworthville Magpies) Alofa Schuster Wing ( NSWRL Wentworthville Magpies), Aliti Namoce Middle (NSWRL South Sydney Rabbitohs), Pearl Grace Middle/Edge (Lami Steelers Fiji), Adi Soakula Halves (Police Sharks Fiji), Adi Taina Delailovu Edge (Army Bears Fiji), Luisa Nasiqa Edge/Middle (Laselase Cowboys Fiji), Teaghan Hartigan Middle/Hooker (QRL BMD Burleigh Bears), Ebony Laing Middle (BMD Burleigh Bears), Tanika Newton Edge/Centre/Hooker (QRL BMD East Tigers), Elizabeth Naleba Middle/Edge (QRL BMD Burleigh Bears), Tahlia Marshall FB/Wing (QRL BMD East Tigers), Amalaini Navatu Wing/FB (Laselase Cowboys Fiji), Abigayle Sekitoga Centre/Wing (QRL BMD Burleigh Bears), Laisa Takayawa Middle (Police Sharks Fiji), Emi Bulouvere DH/FB (Yasawa Saints Fiji), Ema Masi Edge/Middle (QRL BMD North Devils), Sienna Laing FB/Centre/Halves ( QRL BMD Burleigh Bears), Lorren Leli Middle/Edge (QRL BMD East Tigers), Matelita Baleisuva Maikali Centre/Wing (Serua Dragons Fiji), Keilani Manu Edge (NSWRL South Sydney Rabbitohs).

Rugby League World Cup 2026 returns to Australia, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea. Where nations clash, heroes rise, and legends are forged. 3 World Cups. 26 Teams. The World’s Best. Tickets are now on sale from $19. Don’t miss the pinnacle of global Rugby League.