Fiji Pearls’ goalkeeper Kelera Nawai-Caucau is among the top-rated defenders at the Netball World Cup 2023 since the tournament started in Cape Town last weekend.
Nawai-Caucau, 26, who plies her trade for the Stars in the ANZ Premiership has been a standout player for the Pearls, making crucial intercepts and gains in the opposition’s circle.
She has the second-most defensive rebounds at 10 and the second-most intercepts, with 14 behind Trinidad and Tobago’s Jameela McCarthy (11) and Australia’s Courtney Bruce (19) respectively.
Nawai-Caucau also leads Fiji in deflections at 11.
Originally from Fiji, Nawai-Caucau moved to New Zealand in 2014 to pursue her education on a scholarship at St Andrews College in Christchurch. Her passion for netball led her to join Canterbury Netball and play for Mainland in the National Netball League in 2017. The same year, she also served as a training partner for Tactix. In 2019, Nawai-Caucau represented Fiji at the NWC before returning to New Zealand to join her husband. She caught the eye while playing for the Pulse in 2021 before heading to the Tactix. She joined the Stars this year.
Photo: NWC
