GREEN FALCONS SOAR PAST IRELAND TO REACH RUGBY LEAGUE WORLD SERIES FINAL

By: Gyang Dakwo

Nigeria’s women’s national rugby league team, the Green Falcons, beat Ireland 10–0 in the semi-final of the IRL Women’s Rugby League World Series 2025 at Terry Fox Stadium in Canada on Tuesday.

The match was also a qualifier for the 2026 Rugby League World Cup in Australia and Papua New Guinea.

The Falcons led 4–0 at half-time and kept their composure all through the match. They defended strongly and stayed calm under pressure, and that effort earned them a well-deserved victory. With this win, Nigeria is close to becoming the first African nation to lift the Rugby League World Cup.

Nigeria started with Umude Blessing at fullback, while Iyoha Success and Ukwuoma Endurance played on the wings. Aladeyelu Blessing and Abiola Obazuaye took charge in the centres, and Shondell Akhabue paired with Innocent Adaeze in the halves.

In the forwards, Adeola King and Fedelia Omoghan formed the front row with Becky Okitikpe as hooker. Rachel Iliya and Vera Akhihiero-Pedro were in the second row, and Faustina Akeje started at lock. Chinaza Abbah, Bayere Gabriel Lauretta, Akinade Rukayat, and Danyelle Shobanjo came in from the bench to provide support.

Head coach Bolu Fagborun praised his players for their focus and determination, especially when they played with one player less after Akhabue was sent to the sin-bin across the half-time break.

He said their goal was to defend well, and the team did just that. “We knew that if we stopped them from scoring, we would win the match, and that is exactly what happened,” Fagborun said. “The defensive effort was outstanding, and this result means a lot for Nigerian rugby league and for the Middle East and Africa region.”

Nigeria will now meet Fiji in the final after the Pacific side beat Canada 48–0 in the other semi-final. The final will be played on Sunday, 26 October, at Terry Fox Stadium, and the winner will claim the last women’s spot at the IRL Rugby League World Cup 2026 in Australia and Papua New Guinea.