Harlequins have officially welcomed Fiji international back row Manuqalo Komaitai to their roster for the upcoming 2025-26 Premiership Women’s Rugby (PWR) season. Komaitai’s signing comes on the heels of her impressive performances on the global stage, where she represented Fiji in three matches during the recent Women’s World Cup, notably scoring a try against Scotland.
Primarily playing as a number eight, Komaitai juggles her rugby career with her duties in the British Army, where she serves in the Irish Guards. Her athletic journey is particularly inspiring, transitioning from a background in netball to rugby after joining the London Irish Emeralds. Komaitai further honed her skills with the York Valkyrie, contributing to their triumph in the 2024 Women’s Super League championship.
Expressing her eagerness to join Harlequins, Komaitai stated, “I really feel like this is an environment that I can flourish in. This feels like a place where I can really develop my game and I’m excited to get going.” Her enthusiasm highlights the growing support for women’s rugby, illuminating the opportunities available for female athletes globally, including those from Fiji.
Komaitai’s addition to the Harlequins illustrates the increasing visibility and opportunity for women in the sport, resonating with the journeys of athletes such as Silika Rinieta Qalo and Salanieta Nabuli, who have also made the leap from netball to rugby. This trend emphasizes the vast potential within the realm of women’s rugby.
As the Harlequins prepare to launch their PWR season with a home match against Loughborough Lightning at Twickenham Stoop on Friday, it marks a significant moment not just for the club, but for Komaitai as she enters this exciting new chapter in her career. The inclusion of dynamic players like Komaitai symbolizes progress and hope for women in rugby, paving the way for future generations to excel in the sport.