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Opinion
In this series, I’ll name what I think are the greatest teams of all time from some of our Pacific rim neighbours.
Today, the focus is on Fiji, and the only criteria for selection is that the selected player must have appeared in at least one Test for the Bati.
Here’s the team. Appearances for Fiji are in brackets.
1. Jarryd Hayne (ten)
On his day, Hayne was the biggest threat that a defence could imagine. He was a multi award winner and played 214 first-grade games.
2. Akuila Uate (18)
He was a blockbusting ball runner who always had the crowd on their feet. He scored the most tries for Fiji with 14.
(Photo by Ashley Feder/Getty Images)
3. Wes Naiqama (14)
He was a very handy utility back who probably didn’t reach his NRL potential but still played over 150 games at the top level. He is Fiji’s highest ever scorer with 132 points.
4. Lote Tuqiri (four)
He was a giant outside back and dual-code international who scored five tries in his four starts for the Bati. He also won premierships with both Brisbane and South Sydney.
5. Noa Nadruku (five)
He was an absolute speed machine and outstanding winger who topped the NRL try-scoring list in both 1993 (22 tries) and 1996 (21 tries). He represented Fiji at both the 1991 and 1995 World Cups, and won a premiership with Canberra in 1994.
6. Kevin Naiqama (19)
He is a talented utility back who holds the record for the most games for Fiji, and has captained the team on ten occasions. He has also played nearly 180 games at the top level.
(Photo by Lewis Storey/Getty Images)
7. Brandon Wakeham (three)
He is the incumbent Fiji halfback who has scored 36 points in his three Tests.
8. Petero Civoniceva – captain (six)
He was an absolute giant, inspirational leader and one of the best front rowers ever to play the game. He captained the Bati in five of the six Tests he played.
9. Apisai Koroisau (13)
He is a top-flight hooker who last represented Fiji in the 2017 World Cup and has won NRL premierships with both Souths in 2014 and Penrith in 2021.
10. Daniel Saifiti (three)
He is one of the best front rowers in the game at the moment and has played nearly 120 first-grade games for Newcastle in his six years in the top grade.
11. Viliame Kikau (11)
He is an explosive ball runner who has scored eight tries for Fiji in his 11 starts and won a premiership with Penrith in 2021.
(Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
12. Tariq Sims (five)
He was a tough tackling competitor who represented Fiji in the 2013 World Cup and has played over 200 first-grade games.
13. Jayson Bukuya (11)
He was a talented and hard-working back rower who played 187 first-grade games in his 12-year career.
14. Joe Lovodua (eight)
He’s represented Fiji either at hooker or off the bench in their last eight Tests.
15. Ashton Sims (15)
He is a big forward who loves the contest, has represented Fiji for ten years and has played 368 games at the top level.
16. Reagan Campbell-Gillard (two)
He is a hard-running, crash-tackling forward who leaves nothing on the paddock.
17. Jacob Saifiti (seven)
He is another big front rower who is beginning to have the same influence on the game as his more famous twin brother.
This team has a massive pack of forwards with plenty of support on the bench, and some very fast and talented outside backs.
If they have a weakness, it’s in the halves.
So what do you think? Are there any players unlucky not to make the team? How would this team go?
Next, the Mate Ma’a Tonga.
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