The Army Rugby Union proudly congratulates Guardsman Manuqalo Komaitai on her first international start for Fijiana, as she lined up at number 8 in their thrilling 24–20 win over Samoa on Saturday 14th June.
Played under the Coral Coast sun, the match was a fiercely contested, with Fijiana having to dig deep to hold off a determined Samoan comeback. With everything on the line, Komaitai delivered a powerful, composed performance at the back of the scrum, helping her side retain their regional crown.
After coming off the bench to score a try on debut against Tonga earlier this month, Komaitai was rewarded with a place in the starting XV and she didn’t disappoint. Her trademark physicality, strong carries, and defensive resilience were on full display throughout a pulsating 80 minutes of Pacific rugby at its finest.
This latest achievement is yet another milestone in what has been an astonishing rise for the Irish Guards soldier. From picking up a rugby ball for the first time in 2021, to earning Player of the Match in the 2025 Inter Service Championship match v the Royal Air Force, scoring on international debut, and now starting in a title deciding fixture, Komaitai continues to blaze a trail on and off the field.
Images © Fiji Rugby Union
