Battle Of Bati

[CQ Italia]

 

[stormbati]

With the injury to Waqa Blake I think Mick Potter might give young Panthers winger Mike Sivo a spot.

 

[East Coast Tiger]

I wouldn't have thought Fiji would need to look beyond the NRL system for players anymore. Except one or two from SL.

 

[Rory]

fiji are already stacked out with naiqama, vunivalu, michael jennings (check the news), milne, uate etc. i doubt any domestic players will get a spot.

 

[morningstar]

I absolutely adore this concept. Fiji RL have confirmed that you only qualify for auto selection in the 24 man cup squad if you have played a minimum 6 NRL games this year. Ultimately Potter has the final say, but I agree no one should be a walk up starter because they play in Australia....

http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=417113

Naleba said yesterday the Battle of the Bati on October 7, which also provides an opportunity for rugby league players to be selected for the RLWC, would be tough. At least seven players who had donned the Fiji Bati jersey would be vying for a spot. They are Rabittohs' Sitiveni Moceidreke, Port Kembla's James Storer, Roosters' Eloni Vunakece, Wentworthwhile's Henry Raiwalui, Canberra Raiders' Mikaele Ravalawa, Dragons' Taane Milne, Titans' Ben Nakubuwai and Vitale Roqica of the London Broncos. Former Melbourne Storm player who had switched to union, Sisa Waqa is wanting a return to the sport and will also be part of the trial. The Fiji Bati selection criteria is for players to play a minimum of six NRL games and to pass the medical test.

"The criteria would be for them to be playing either the New South Wales Cup, the Intrust Cup and or at least play four NRL games," Naleba said.

The Battle of the Bati is for players who have not met this criteria.

 

[East Coast Tiger]

Yep. That's the way it should be. Ideally a few domestic players will get picked.

 

[adamkungl]

At the very least it means domestic players are getting a shot to prove themselves against professional opposition. Any WC nation who doesn't have a similar concept is doing themselves a disservice.

 

[morningstar]

Fiji Residents 20 man squad...

http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=418093

FOUR new caps have been named in the Vodafone Fiji Residents team to play the Overseas Fiji Bati in the Battle of the Bati at the ANZ Stadium in Suva on October 7.

The match is to select the Vodafone Fiji Bati team to the Rugby League World Cup team.

The new caps are Josua Roko, a dummy half of the Sabeto Roosters, Nadi, Joseva Senivonokula of the Army Bears, Sakiusa Gavidi (Nadera Panthers) and Vereti Bukavesi (Nadi Eels).

Prominent players dropped because of injury are Simon Wise and Etuate Qionimacawa.

Fiji Residents:
Tikiko Noke - prop - Ravoravo,
Joseva Senivonokula - prop - Army Bears,
Iliesa Cakau- second row - Army Bears,
Ilaitia Volavola - second row - Saru Dragons,
Jowasa Drodrolagi- second row - Nabua Broncos,
Viliame Rakuli (Captain) - lock - Sabeto Roosters,
Pio Seci - center - Nabua Broncos,
Sakiusa Gavidi - center- Nadera Panthers,
Ilami Susu - wing - Sabeto Roosters,
Richard Fiu- wing - Army Bears,
Ratu Luke Nadurutalo - center - Nadera Panthers,
Josua Roko - hooker- Sabeto Roosters,
Roger Qoro - halves - Sabeto Roosters,
Mosese Qionimacawa - halves - USP Islanders,
Kelevi Komaisavou - halves /hooker - Topline Warriors,
Apakuki Tavodi - prop - USP Islanders,
Filipo Talei - prop - Police Sharks,
Etuate Tagicakibau - fullback - Nabua Broncos,
Vereti Bukavesi- fullback - Nadi Eels,
Ilisavani Jegesa - lock - Nabua Broncos.

 

[adamkungl]

This is on now, official Livestream here http://fijione.tv/livestream/

 

[Coastbloke]

Sorry AK, That's not possible.
I read Fitzy's column in the SMH today and he said League is only played in Australia's Eastern States, Auckland, Northern England and PNG (Was nice of him to include PNG this time)

 

[morningstar]

Sorry AK, That's not possible.
I read Fitzy's column in the SMH today and he said League is only played in Australia's Eastern States, Auckland, Northern England and PNG (Was nice of him to include PNG this time)

Is condom head on twitter. Someone tweet him the link to the stream.

Like the look of the no.8 for the residents.

 

[East Coast Tiger]

12-4 at halftime to the overseas side. They're more drilled and structured, as you'd expect, but the residents look full of raw ability.

 

[East Coast Tiger]

You don't see tries like that in the NRL.

 

[LeagueXIII]

Good to see a Fijian ref.

Female touchjudge also.

 

[adamkungl]

16-16.

If the Residents are just as good as the Aus based semi-pros, better off putting them in the WC squad

 

[adamkungl]

Residents had a chance to nail a FG with seconds on the clock and didn't take it. Finishes 16-16

 

[East Coast Tiger]

How the f**k are some of those residents players still playing for nothing in Fiji?

The NSWRL needs to get that team into the NSW cup NOW!

 

[Stallion]

How the f**k are some of those residents players still playing for nothing in Fiji?

The NSWRL needs to get that team into the NSW cup NOW!

And the game is so good many great players dont play it for no or little money!