Fiji Pearls have finished in 11th place at the 2023 Netball World Cup in Cape Town, South Africa. Fiji Pearls played a total of seven matches and managed to secure two victories. The Pearls have progressed from their last World Cup in Liverpool, where they finished in 14th place.
Fiji Pearls goal attack Maliana Rusivakula made the most goals throughout the tournament with a total of 153 goals with 91.1% accuracy. Maliana capped 6 games for the Pearls at Cape Town with a total of 39 games for Fiji Pearls.
Unaisi Rauluni with 50 goals and 44 feeds, Rauluni reached her 60th caps for Fiji Pearls and won the best player of the match award in their last game. In total the Fiji Pearls made a total of 266 goals attempt with 232 successful goals at 87.2% accuracy throughout the World Cup.
Fiji Pearls GK Kelera Nawai Caucau is in the top 5 of the most intercepts made, Zimbabwe’s Felistus Kwangwa leads the table with 22 total intercepts followed by Australia’s Courtney Bruce with 19, at third place is Tongan Tala captain Hulita Veve, while Uganda’s Christine Nakitto and Fiji’s Kelera Nawai both with a total of 16 intercepts.
Kelera was also on top of her game with her defensive rebound after finishing in the top four with 12 defensive rebounds. Kelera played 6 NWC games at Cape Town with a total of 20 caps for the Pearls.
Fiji Pearls youngest member Elina Drikibau managed to get some quality game time after she debuted in her world cup against the Australian diamonds in the third round, Drikibau capped two world cup matches after she took to the court again against Trinidad & Tobago on their 11th place playoff, Drikibau has now made her ninth total appearance for the Fiji Pearls.
Playing her 84th caps for the team, Fiji Pearls captain Maria Lutua Rusivakula was happy with the progress the’ve made at the world cup, Maria is impressed with the effort the young players brought into their world cup campaign.
“It’s absolutely good to come out here with a young squad – our aim was to progress from where we left off at the last World Cup and I think everyone really stepped up and put in 100 per cent, so going home, we’re happy that we have progressed from the last time.”
Fiji Pearls players caps after the 2023 Netball World Cup are as follows.
Adi Vakaoca Bolakoro – 6 NWC 2023 Caps / 24 Total Caps
Jimaima Kete – 6 NWC / 29 Total
Ana Moi – 6 NWC / 12 Total
Ana Nauqe – 6 NWC / 16 Total
Lydia Panapasa – 4 NWC / 17 Total
Josephine Tabua – 6 NWC / 14 Total
Kalesi Tawake – 5 NWC / 17 Total
