Japan ace Naikabula’s sister makes mark for Fiji at World Cup

Fijiana starlet Josifini Neihamu has made her mark for her country at the World Cup and has followed in her brothers' footsteps by excelling on the game’s biggest stage.

Inside centre, Neihamu, 21, is the younger sister of Japan’s wing wizard Jone Naikabula, 31, who starred for the Brave Blossoms at the 2023 World Cup in France.

Toshiba Brave Lupus star Naikabula hails from Nadroga, a village of 200 people in Fiji, and started playing rugby at the age of seven after being inspired by watching former All Blacks captain Tana Umanga.

He went to New Zealand to study at the age of 18 after being nominated by his teacher Koroi Vunilagi and was picked to represent New Zealand in rugby sevens while at Kelston Boys' High School. From there he was scouted by Setsunan University in Osaka while he was terrorising defences playing for Waitemate Rugby Club.

The humble wing turned pro in 2018 with long-time Japan captain Michael Leitch’s Toshiba and broke into the Japanese team in the summer of 2023 just months before a playing key role for his adopted country in France.

Now, Naikabula, is one of Japan’s greatest weapons and has established himself as a box office attraction with his rapid acceleration and dazzling feet reminiscent of another pocket rocket in England’s World Cup-winning magician Jason Robinson.  

Naikabula scored a brace against Cheslin Kolbe's Suntory in February - Picture courtesy of JRLO

Fuchu, Tokyo-based Naikabula, who scored 15 tries in 16 games last season, is currently recovering from a leg injury which kept him out of his club’s second consecutive League One title win in June and is absent from Eddie Jones’ squad for the Pacific Nations Cup.

However, while Naikabula is absent from the Test match arena his younger sister Josifini, who only started playing rugby in 2022, has made her mark in England for the crowd-pleasing Fijiana XV.

Vagadra native Neihamu is a newcomer to the international stage having only made her debut in June with an eye-catching hat-trick against Tonga, but, like her brother, has negotiated the step up from Test rugby arena to the World Cup with ease and in the space of just several months. 

Neihamu on the attack for Fiji - Picture courtesy of Fiji Rugby

The flourishing Fijian started her career playing seven-a-side rugby for Seahawks Rugby Club before being scouted by Namosi to play in the country’s top club competition, the Marama Championship.

All-action Neihamu is known for her powerful carries and line-breaks, more qualities that run in her talented family which includes their older sibling, fly-half Aseri Vatuinarukuwho who enjoyed a stint in New Zealand with the Western Sharks.

Fiji is making only their second appearance at the record-breaking 2025 Women’s World Cup and, after being overwhelmed by contenders Canada in their opener, produced a gutsy display on Sunday as they pushed Scotland all the way in Manchester.

Neihamu, who last season won a place in Fijian Drua’s squad in the Super Rugby women’s competition, is one of her country's brightest hopes and having started both games in England will aim to sign off with a win against winless Wales on Saturday.

After watching her brother star for his adopted country at the World Cup, Neihamu, is now a source of inspiration for millions of young hopefuls in her homeland.

“I encourage young girls to take up the sport as rugby provides opportunities to earn a living while enjoying the sport at the same time,” said Neihama.  

Neihamu holding her niece at the 2024 League One final in Tokyo as Naikabula receives his Player of the Match award

Neihamu travelled to Japan in 2024 to see her sibling Naikabuka in the League One final against Saitama Wild Knights and the livewire dazzled the 56,000-strong crowd with a match-winning virtuoso display as he scored two tries for Richie Mo’unga’s side.  

The Fijiana will bring the curtain down on their second World Cup campaign against Wales in a winnable game and their resilience, physicality and flair will ensure that they win even more admirers.

Their irresistible brand of rugby is what new and existing fans of the women’s game will remember more than their wins and losses.

Selfie time at the World Cup in England - Picture courtesy of Fiji Rugby

Fiji’s pride and courage will come to the fore again in the last 80 minutes of their World Cup and Josifini Neihamu will be tipped to take centre stage at Exeter’s Sandy Park.