The Army Rugby Union is proud to celebrate one of its brightest rising stars, Guardsman Manuqalo Komaitai has been selected for national trials with Fijiana, Fiji’s women’s national rugby union team, ahead of the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup to be held in England later this year.
A soldier in the Irish Guards and the first Fijian woman to serve in the elite regiment tasked with guarding Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle, Komaitai’s journey is as inspiring as it is unconventional. Hailing from Suva, Fiji, she had never picked up a rugby ball before joining the British Army. It wasn’t until 2021—after completing her training in the UK—that she began playing the sport as a way to keep fit. What started as a pastime quickly evolved into a passion, and her natural talent soon became impossible to ignore.
That talent was on full display during the 2025 Inter Service Championship, where Komaitai delivered a stand-out tournament—none more so than in April’s clash against the RAF at Kingsholm Stadium. In a dominant performance that turned heads across the rugby community, she scored an astonishing four tries and earned the Player of the Match accolade, helping the Army secure a crucial win and solidifying her status as a key figure in the squad.
Her raw athleticism, relentless work ethic, and battlefield-honed discipline have now earned her a spot at Fijiana trials back in her homeland, where she hopes to wear the white jersey of Fiji on the world stage later this year.
“From Suva to Buckingham Palace and the rugby pitch” is more than a catchy line—it’s the remarkable story of a young woman who has blended military precision with Pacific passion. Now chasing her international dream, Komaitai remains grounded and driven, embodying the values of both the British Army and Fijian rugby: strength, humility, and unshakable pride.
Everyone at Army Rugby Union sends their heartfelt congratulations and vinaka vakalevu to Guardsman Komaitai. Whether standing guard at royal palaces or tearing it up on the rugby field, she continues to break barriers and inspire a generation.
We’ll be watching—and cheering—every step of the way.
