BATI TARGETS NZ CAPTAIN
18-Jul-2008 08:40 AM
THE Vodafone Fiji Bati team is targeting New Zealand Warriors captain Reuben Wiki to raise his hands for Fiji for the Rugby League World Cup in Australia later this year.
Wiki who is currently the captain for the New Zealanders is eligible for Fiji because he is a Rotuman.
Though born in New Zealand and spending most of his life there Wiki has assured Bati officials that he will play for Fiji.
Bati coach, Josaia Rabele said he had been in close contact with Wiki and things looked bright.
We have been in close contact with Wiki and he has told us that he wants to play for Fiji, Rabele said.
If he really has a heart for Fiji then this should be the time because we need players like him for Fiji.
He is currently contracted with the New Zealand Warriors in the Australasian National Rugby League (NRL) competition.
He has played 55 test matches for New Zealand between 1994 and 2008, the most test matches played by any rugby league footballer in the world.
He captained the New Zealand national rugby league team in 18 of those tests.
Wiki became only the tenth player and first New Zealander to play 300 first grade games in the NRL when he started at prop in the Warriors 28-26 victory against the Wests Tigers last month.
He is contracted with the Warriors until the end of the 2008 season. He previously played with the Canberra Raiders for over 10 years alongside such greats as Mal Meninga, Bradley Clyde and Ricky Stuart.
At 35 years of age in 2008, he is currently the oldest player in the NRL.
Initially a centre, Wiki now plays predominantly at prop forward though he can also play in the second row.
