Valiant Green Falcons failed to pick the ticket to the 2026 International Rugby League World Cup, losing 62-4 to Fiji in the final game of the World Series.
The Green Falcons started brightly, keeping the 16th-ranked Fiji back for the first 17 minutes of the game at Terry Fox Stadium, Brampton, Canada.
Valiant Green Falcons Brave in Battle
Success Iyoha scored Nigeria’s only try to give a hint of a comeback as the first half winds down, but Fiji took it a notch higher in the second half, outmuscling the Nigerians to claim a famous victory.
Green Falcons captain, Blessing Aladeyelu, picked up an injury and required a stretcher, further limiting Nigeria’s ability to stage a comeback.
With the win, Fiji becomes the 8th country to qualify for the World Cup, and coach Tony Herman revealed the Green Falcons made them work hard for it.
“not easy at all. They’re a really, really good footy side. I thought they played some tough footy. We probably just had a little bit of class towards the end and put on some points, and that. But yeah, no, they’re a really, really good team. I thought it was an amazing effort from them.”
Canada-based Nigerian journalist, Bolarinwa Olajide, expressed his delight at the girls’ performance, becoming the first team in the series to score a try against Fiji and finishing second.
“We saw how Fiji destroyed the whole Canada in the first game. They didn’t get a try, but the Nigerians managed to get one, which is a big one in the end for them. So I think it’s a good experience for them overall.”
What Next
As the Green Falcons return home to reflect on their participation, the chairman of the Nigerian Rugby League Association, NRLA, Abiodun Olawale-Cole, says Nigeria is taking a lot of positives away from the loss, and the future can only be better.
“We need to give the girls a lot more games next season. So when comes to this type of competitions, know, match fit and intensity level is going be matched as well what we saw today against Fiji. know, so that’s my biggest takeaway I would say for sure”.
Meanwhile, Canada defeated Ireland 36-6 to finish third in the IRL women’s world series.
