Merevesi Ofakimalino

Merevesi Ofakimalino
Date of birth (1994-03-30) 30 March 1994 (age 30)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Lock
Super Rugby
Years Team Apps (Points)
2022 Fijiana Drua 4 (0)
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2016–Present  Fiji 5 (5)

Merevesi Fuga Ofakimalino (born 30 March 1994) is a Fijian rugby union player. She plays for Suva in the ANZ Marama Championship and for Fiji at an international level.[1]

Rugby career

Ofakimalino made her international debut for Fiji against Papua New Guinea at the 2016 Oceania Championship.[2][3][4] In December, she made an appearance for the Fijiana's again at the 2017 World Cup Repechage tournament against Japan and Hong Kong.[5]

In 2022, Ofakimalino was selected for the Fijiana Drua squad for their Super W debut.[6] She made her Super W debut against the Western Force in the third round of competition.[7] She also featured against the Waratahs and the Brumbies in the final two rounds.[8][9] She finally appeared in the Grand Final against the Waratahs as the Drua wrapped up a perfect season with their first title.[10][11][12][13]

Ofakimalino was named in the Fijiana squad for two test matches against Australia and Japan in May.[14][15] She came off the bench in the first test against Japan.[16] She was in the starting line up in the second test against Australia.[17][18]

Ofakimalino was recalled into the Fijiana squad for the 2022 Oceania Championship in New Zealand.[19][20] She scored a try in the Fijiana's 152–0 annihilation of Papua New Guinea.[21][22][23][24] She played in the test against Tonga which they won 34–7.[25] In September she played in a warm up match against Canada.[26] She was also named in the Fijiana squad for the 2021 Rugby World Cup.[27]

In 2024, she was named in the Fijian Drua Women's side for the Super Rugby Women's season.[28]

References

  1. ^ Tuinuku, Eroni (2022-06-16). "Rugby is now a family affair for women playing at provincial and international levels". Official Website of Fiji Rugby Union. Retrieved 2022-08-23.
  2. ^ "Women's RWC qualification at Stake in Inaugural Oceania Championship". www.fijirugby.com. Retrieved 2022-08-18.
  3. ^ Ratulevu, Pate (2016-11-07). "Fijiana Beat PNG to Win Inaugural Oceania Championship". Official Website of Fiji Rugby Union. Retrieved 2022-08-18.
  4. ^ "Sport: New beginnings for Fiji's Women's 15s team". RNZ. 2016-10-28. Retrieved 2022-08-23.
  5. ^ Ratulevu, Pate (2016-12-08). "Fijiana 15s Hong Kong". Official Website of Fiji Rugby Union. Retrieved 2022-08-18.
  6. ^ Cama, Akuila (2022-02-09). "Fijiana Drua squad for Super W named". Fiji Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 2022-07-20.
  7. ^ Williamson, Nathan (2022-03-17). "Super W: All the team news for Round Three". www.rugby.com.au. Retrieved 2022-07-20.
  8. ^ Williamson, Nathan (2022-03-31). "Super W: All the team news for Round Five". www.rugby.com.au. Retrieved 2022-07-20.
  9. ^ Williamson, Nathan (2022-04-07). "Super W: All the team news for Round Six". www.rugby.com.au. Retrieved 2022-07-20.
  10. ^ Williamson, Nathan (2022-04-21). "FIjiana Drua, NSW Waratahs confirm sides for Super W Grand Final". www.rugby.com.au. Retrieved 2022-07-20.
  11. ^ Cabenatabua, Leone (2022-04-22). "Fijiana Duo Make Final Match 23". Retrieved 2022-07-20.
  12. ^ "Fijiana Drua cap off unbeaten season with historic comeback win over Waratahs". the Guardian. 2022-04-23. Retrieved 2022-08-18.
  13. ^ "'This is history': Fijiana Drua claim Super W title to cap off unbeaten season". www.rugbypass.com. 2022-04-23. Retrieved 2022-08-18.
  14. ^ "Rooster Chicken to sponsor Fijiana 15s for two historic test matches while Seruvakula names four new overseas-based players". FijiTimes. 2022-04-29. Retrieved 2022-07-20.
  15. ^ Biudole, Noa (2022-04-29). "4 overseas-bases reps in Fijiana XVs squad". fijilive.com. Retrieved 2022-07-21.
  16. ^ Birch, John (2022-05-01). "Japan's winning start to Tri-Series". Scrum Queens. Retrieved 2022-07-20.
  17. ^ Tucker, Jim (2022-05-06). "Wallaroos win on emotional return amid tries, tears and debuts". www.rugby.com.au. Retrieved 2022-07-20.
  18. ^ Duthie, Rodney (2022-05-05). "Seruvakula names Fijiana 15s side". Fiji Times. Retrieved 2022-07-25.
  19. ^ Tuinuku, Eroni (2022-06-22). "Seruvakula names 18 debutants in the Fijiana XV's for Oceania Championship". Official Website of Fiji Rugby Union. Retrieved 2022-07-20.
  20. ^ Salalo, Sereana (2022-06-23). "Tawake Captain, Leweniqila Out". Fiji Sun. Retrieved 2022-07-20.
  21. ^ Walker, Sarah (2022-07-09). "2022 Oceania Rugby Women's Championship Team Lists 9 July 2022" (PDF). Oceania Rugby. Retrieved 2022-08-20.
  22. ^ "Samoa win in a close match while Fiji dominated day 1 of the Oceania Rugby Women's Championship". oceania.rugby. 2022-07-09. Retrieved 2022-07-20.
  23. ^ Biudole, Noa (2022-07-09). "Fijiana wallop PNG in 24-try romp". fijilive.com. Retrieved 2022-07-20.
  24. ^ Tavi, Karalaini (2022-07-09). "Fijiana trounces PNG". Fiji Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 2022-07-20.
  25. ^ Walker, Sarah (2022-07-13). "2022 Oceania Rugby Women's Championship Team List 13 July 2022" (PDF). Oceania Rugby. Retrieved 2022-08-20.
  26. ^ "World Cup Warm-Up – Fiji vs Canada – ARN Guide". Americas Rugby News. 2022-09-22. Retrieved 2022-09-26.
  27. ^ Prasad, Vashneel (2022-09-21). "Seruvakula names 32-member squad for Rugby World Cup". Official Website of Fiji Rugby Union. Retrieved 2022-09-23.
  28. ^ "2024 ROOSTER CHICKEN FIJIAN DRUA WOMEN SQUAD NAMED". Fijian Drua Rugby. 2024-02-22. Retrieved 2024-03-03.