With the announcement of the 47-member extended squad last week, the Fiji National Rugby League (FNRL) CEO Don Natabe is now pushing forward with plans to attend the Rugby League World Cup in October 2021.
The squad includes 14 resident Fijian players including other contracted players currently in the UK, NZ and Australian NRL and other international rugby league competitions. Interestingly, included are former Cronulla Shark Jayson Bukuya and former Newcastle Knights winger Akuila Uate, despite signaling their retirement earlier this year.
(Photo by Tony Feder/Getty Images)
The FNRL is optimistic with the Fiji Bati being placed in Pool B with Australia, Italy and Scotland. The FNRL also announced that in July 2021, the final squad members will be revealed, with preparations to travel to Australia to meet with the Australian based Bati, then travel to the RLWC.
The other option is for the Australian-based Bati to travel to Fiji for a week prior to travelling to the UK.
Yesterday, Fiji news outlets announced Penrith Panthers prop and seasoned Fiji Bati rep Bill Kikau will potentially captain the side into the RLWC.
What is needed for the side is a bilingual captain who will be able to bridge the communication between resident players and those born overseas. This is a hill that the Bati will need to overcome to ensure a flawless team dynamic by the 2021 World Cup. Coupled with this is good leadership skills.
Could seasoned Fiji Bati and Melbourne Storm prop Tui Kamikamica also fit the captaincy role? In February 2020, the Melbourne Storm announced Kamikamica’s co-captaincy role at the Perth Nines.
Watching an articulate interview with Kamikamica reinforces the skilful mentoring and development coach Craig Bellamy has embedded in the Storm’s players, in grooming Fijian players such as Marika Koroibete, Suliasi Vunivalu and Isaac Lumelume.
(Photo by Kelly Defina/Getty Images)
Nevertheless, this is a wise move by the FNRL as someone is needed at the helm that speaks fluent Fijian given the increasing number of Fiji Bati residents joining the team.
The FNRL board push, led by Royal Fiji Military Forces Commander Viliame Naupoto, is pro-Fiji-based players, adding value to the side that was previously dominated by Fijians born overseas.
Under the helm and leadership of current Fiji Bati national coach Joe Dakuitoga, this side is looking to be exciting and vibrant with players chosen from the local Vodafone competition and from the Kaiviti Silktails, a team currently in preparation for the 2021 Ron Massey Cup, a NSW rugby league competition.
The franchise is owned by former Brisbane Broncos and Australian Kangaroos rep Petero Civoniceva and business owner Stephen Driscoll.
The Fiji Bati team is one to watch, as they strategically configure the next few months, with surprise announcements to the 2021 World Cup side.
Some big names included in the list are Kevin Naiqama, Taane Milne, Semi Valemei, Maika Sivo, Kane Evans, Apisai Koroisau, Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Tariq Sims, Korbin Sims, D’Rhys Miller, Daniel Saifiti, Jacob Saifiti, Marcelo Montoya, Mikaele Ravalawa, Brendon Wakeham, Isaac Lumelume and Waqa Blake.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
47?? that's a heck of a squad...
Nat
Roar Rookie
mate, you are just being a wayne-kerr and that's not code specific. Just another anon, weak-as-.... 'guest' throwing stones just for bites. Probably fair to say you've created a few logins previously? I can see this is fun for you and for that I am truly sorry. I hope life gets better in 2021.
Big Daddy
Guest
Andrew, probably include PNG and call it the Pacific Cup. Every one keeps saying play it in Sydney but it's hardly fair on countries like Fiji and PNG who would like to play at home with players from their local comps. I'm not even sure Tonga and Samoa have a domestic comp to draw players from. Great idea but will be dominated by Sydney and Brisbane based players and played here. It's heading in right direction with Hunters in QRL and Fiji in Ron Massey Cup.
Big Daddy
Guest
Few names there that could qualify for a couple of countries. Bottom line is those that don't get picked for Australia will finish up being picked for Italy, Lebanon, Scotland, Wales , PNG and the island countries coached by an ex NRL coach. It's too predictable . It's legal but I don't necessarily agree and whatever they do to make it a level playing field the result is normally the same 99% of the time.
Jamaal Hoppa
Guest
Nat do you realise the "Italian" Rugby League team communicate in English? What other Italian National sporting team doesn't communicate in Italian? Can you see why the rest of the sporting community can't take it seriously. Ps I'm not a Rah Rah I know it's the easy go to for you blokes haha
Nat
Roar Rookie
No but if you are a Poli guy and eat that meal in Aust, that's enough to qualify for the Wallabies squad.
Tony
Roar Guru
Won't happen
Walter Black
Guest
So would I andrew, whilst it would be well supported, there would be little money in it.
Jamaal Hoppa
Guest
Well they are all Aussie and Kiwi Andrew so it shouldn't be too hard to organise. Play it in their home heartlands of Western Sydney and South Auckland so family and friends don't have to travel too far to watch
andrew
Roar Rookie
Yeah Walter,I'd like to see a comp, Origin style, between Fiji, Samoa and Tonga every couple of years.
andrew
Roar Rookie
:thumbup:
Jamaal Hoppa
Guest
What about other nations Walter? What will br the excuse as to why they don't bring supporters to the M62?? Na I knew Covid would come out.. atleast we have an excuse as to why nobody will go from Overseas
Walter Black
Guest
I agree Big Daddy. When they announced that the world cup would go ahead this year, I felt that was the wrong decision. Still, who knows what will happen, it might just all go away like Donald predicted.
Walter Black
Guest
I don't think so andrew but he seems to have a lot of friends in white coats who put him to bed at night. As far as how many Fijians will get on a plane, I doubt there will be very many largely because : 1) The % of Fijians holding passports is relatively low. 2) The average Fijian salary is just $29,000 USD p.a. so to pay circa $1300 for a plane ticket plus hotels and food is way beyond the reach of most Fijians (Note. one of the reasons that so many Fijians play in the NRL, Superleague and elsewhere is so that they can send money home to their families). 3) Covid will still cause many people to stay home particularly given the plight of the UK at the moment. It is wrong to confuse the lack of people travelling to the UK for this event from places like Fiji, Samoa etc for a lack of interest. As we have seen in other international Rugby League comps, anyone with a TV in Fiji suddenly becomes very popular when the rugby is on.
Jamaal Hoppa
Guest
Na I had Italian last night so that makes me qualify for the Italian team so I'm a secret supporter of the Italy team
andrew
Roar Rookie
Cmon Jamaal, i know you secretly support Fiji.
Jamaal Hoppa
Guest
Yea I'm Fitzy Andrew haha.. I love how 1 bloke upsets the Rugby League community so much. He does it for a reaction and the Rugby League community obliges in Spades
Big Daddy
Guest
Kudos to Fiji for preparing for 2021 world cup. If the COVID status in England remains as is what Country would risk taking a team there just for a few of football game . I have my doubts if this tournament gets off the ground.
andrew
Roar Rookie
Hey Walter, does your sparring partner there wear a red bandana?
Jamaal Hoppa
Guest
Absolutely Walter I did. You were calling it a legitimate "International" sport. I just called you out on it. How many actual Fijians do you think will get on a plane and actually head over to the M62 to watch the "Fijian" team play in the Heritage Cup next year? Actually how many people outside England(M62) will make the pilgrimage to this highly sort after Global event?