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.
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.
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.
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.
Dualruggafanatic
Guest
Would have swapped out Kevin Naiqama for John Sutton instead had he actually got to play for the Bati, but otherwise it's a very legit team.
Tony
Roar Guru
Yes Matt. Fiji has produced enough talented wingers to fill a competition.
Matt
Guest
Wing must've been a very hard position to choose. You could easily have had Waqa, Koroibete, Vunivalu, Sivo, Radradra and lost nothing just from the last 10 years
Tony
Roar Guru
Thanks George. I certainly remember those players, particularly the Toga brothers. Apisai was a terrific forward, tough and skilful, and Inosi was a giant. I'm sure I remember him playing on the wing for the Dragon's reserve grade against North Sydney one day and scoring 3 or 4 tries. :happy:
George Rarasea
Guest
Hi Tony of the Roar , That's a great team lineup , however you probably weren't old enough to remember how the Toga brothers from Nadi Fiji dominated Australian Rugby league in the late 60's and 70's , plus Livai Nalagilagi and Jo Rabele from the late 80's who won Premiership with Brad Fitter at Penrith ???? Also Etuate Waqa and others who won the 7's Final Game versus the Invincible Canberra Raiders team of 1989 ????
David Bradburn
Guest
Colin Saukuru, should be starting front rower with Petro . He was a brilliant player could defend and off load with the best of them .
Redcap
Roar Guru
Plenty of family connections there, Tony. I understand RCG is a cousin of the Sims boys as well. Just missing the father-son combo that could have been.
Tony
Roar Guru
Yeah. That might work.
Lawrence
Guest
No Semi Radradra thats a joke best winger I have ever seen Sailor, Morris Grothe werent as good as him. , Noa was a nice player but we cannot tie Semi shoelaces. Hayne at 6 , then shift Naqaima to 1. If you want to be cheeky John Sutton is Fijian bit didnt play for them will be logical choice at 6.
Pickett
Roar Rookie
In my 50 years of following the game, I don't think I've seen better quality hookers or fullbacks (or centres, wings, second rowers for that matter). But I think the 6 & 7 position has been the weakest I've seen it in probably a decade - this is across the whole NRL. At a stretch, I'd put Hayne in at 6, but not too sure about the 7. Nadruku to Fullback and any number of world class wing to replace him (Sivo, Radradra, Vunivalu).
Randy
Roar Rookie
yeah he had a couple of good seasons at the Raiders, then i think he went to french rugby
Tony
Roar Guru
They haven't played since 2017 so we'll find out later this year hopefully
Tony
Roar Guru
Good player. Didn't he head off to rugby union?
Tony
Roar Guru
I think their earliest games as a nation were in the early 90's
Tez
Roar Rookie
Yeah but pretty sure there was no Bati team in the 70s
Tez
Roar Rookie
Hmmm your selection criteria zeroed out one of the best Fijian forwards of all time .... namely Apisai Toga. How on earth could he be left out?
Dumbo
Roar Rookie
Question. If Api Korisau hasn't played for Fiji since 2017, who are they currently playing at 9 ?
Albo
Roar Rookie
This team, as strong as most positions are, shows why the Bati have not been that successful in the world tournaments. A distinct lack of quality halfbacks. Plenty of size, speed and athleticism , not a lot of game management.
Tony
Roar Guru
Any suggestions mate? Spine players are a bit thin on the ground.
Tony
Roar Guru
They do well for wingers, don't they