Tigers rookie Jahream Bula will cap off his exceptional first season in the NRL with representative honours after being named to the Fijian squad for their Pacific Championships matches with PNG and the Cook Islands.
He is joined by NRL Rookie of the Year winner Sunia Turuva, who made his name in last year’s Pacific Tests prior to his first grade bow, in a stacked Bati squad picked by coach Wise Kativerata.
The major absentee is Api Koroisau, who has been carrying a calf injury and has decided to sit the post-season internationals out.
The two young guns will be joined by a long list of NRL talent. Tui Kamikamica has been as captain, replacing Kevin Naiqama, and will lead a side that features Viliame Kikau, Maika Sivo, Mikaele Ravalawa, Brandon Wakeham, Taane Milne and Waqa Blake.
From the Super League there will be another standout youngster, Jason Qareqare, as well Salford forward King Vuniyayawa, while the Kaiviti Silktails, the Fiji-based club in Sydney’s third grade Ron Massey Cup competition, contribute two players to the national team for the first time.
Fiji will face the Kumuls in Port Moresby, with PNG calling upon a strong core of NRL stars including Alex Johnstone, Jack de Belin and Justin Olam, as well as a host of Super League players such as Lachlan Lam, Edwin Ipape and Rhyse Martin.
Before they play PNG, Fiji face the Cook Islands, who are yet to name a squad.
Waqa Blake (Eels)
Jahream Bula (Wests Tigers)
Kurt Donoghoe (Dolphins)
Kitione Kautoga (Bulldogs)
Tui Kamikamica, capt. (Storm)
Sirilo Lovokuro (Kaiviti Silktails)
Taane Milne (Rabbitohs)
Noah Nailagoliva (Knights)
Caleb Navale (Sea Eagles)
Jason Qareqare (Castleford Tigers)
Mikaele Ravalawa (Dragons)
Mesake Ravonu (Bulldogs)
Apisalome Saukuru (Wests Tigers)
Maika Sivo (Eels)
Peni Tagituimua (Bulldogs)
Sunia Turuva (Panthers)
King Vuniyayawa (Salford Red Devils)
Brandon Wakeham (Wests Tigers)
Watisoni Waqanisaravi (Kaiviti Silktails)
Gordon Whippy (Ipswich Jets)
Wow, what a season we’ve just had, and now we’re about to be treated to some intriguing international league clashes for the second year…
Scott Sattler played in a 20-team competition and helped start a franchise so he knows what he's talking about when he says he is…
If you followed the recent Rugby League World Cup, you’ll probably have noted that the tournament has both passionate supporters and vocal detractors.
Since the Super League War, Rugby League has failed to cement an international calendar. The historical tours disappeared – in part due to the war but also since the English game transferred to a summer season.
Fiji nearly cause shock of the tournament, but Kiwis battle back to reach semi-finals.
