Fiji - Will they wont they?

[carlnz]

Just think we should take a look at 6 or 7 nations on their chances of making the World Cup Finals.

First one we look at is Fiji.

Key players:
Petero Civoniceva (confirmed he will play for Fiji)
Wes Naiqama,
Aston Simms,
John Sutton, and
Akuila Uate.

Did well at this years Pacific Cup, have a good domestic competition at an average skill level. (below Jim Beam and Bartercard Cup) Juniors toured for the first time last year.

Need to play more Tests as they are a Test playing Nation.

Will need to beat: Samoa, Tonga and Cook Islands.

 

[roopy]

I think they will make it.
They were the country that first started playing Australia, NZ and domestic based sides - and they have a very good number of players to call on.

I think they will be ahead of Cook Islands and Samoa, but behind Tonga.

 

[Jackal Dog]

Will Ashton Sims play for Fiji? just because he is eligible doesn't mean he will, IMO he is only a few years away from Origin.

 

[milton]

Add Sami Taduala to the list from wakfeild

 

[roopy]

Will Ashton Sims play for Fiji? just because he is eligible doesn't mean he will, IMO he is only a few years away from Origin.

The only reason I can see that he wouldn't would be if he was already playing for Aus.
Willie Mason played for Tonga in the last WC, so it doesn't hurt the career of a young player to get involved with the WC.

 

[Mr. Fahrenheit]

so??? arent the players allowed o play for other countries during WC campaigns??? and still play for aus???

 

[East Coast Tiger]

Even if the likes of Civoniceva and Simms were to play for Fiji in the qualifiers (which is doubtful) they still won't stack up too well against Tonga, Samoa or the Cook Islands even if they are less then full strength themselves. At best Fiji I predict a third place Pacific finish and a chance at the repercharge where they are likely to come up against one of the Celtic nations who should also recruit enough pro players to be very hard to beat. No one knows where the qualifiers will be but one thing is for sure they won't be in Fiji and that would be their only hope.

 

[carlnz]

Will Ashton Sims play for Fiji? just because he is eligible doesn't mean he will, IMO he is only a few years away from Origin.

National Rugby League Development Officer Shane Morris who leaves to join Melbourne Strom next month said the robust forward has put his hand up for the Fiji Bati side. He said three other NRL superstars have shown interest in playing for the Bati side that will be at full strength for the World Cup. Morris said five current players are playing in the Super League competition in Britain while eight are based in New Zealand.“Petero Civoniceva has put his hand up for the 2008 World Cup and he is willing to play for the Fiji Bati side,” Morris said.“I have been told that he is willing to play for Fiji.”

“Wes Naiqama, Aston Simms and John Sutton are also in line for the Fiji Bati jumper.” Aston Simms who plays for St George Illawarra alongside former Fiji Bati sevens rep Wes Naiqama has indicated of his intensions to play for the Bati side. Simms mother Jackie Campbell has ties to Fiji and she is a former national basketball rep.

 

[griff]

Simms mother Jackie Campbell has ties to Fiji and she is a former national basketball rep.

What exactly are these "ties"?

 

[colonel_123]

The only reason I can see that he wouldn't would be if he was already playing for Aus.
Willie Mason played for Tonga in the last WC, so it doesn't hurt the career of a young player to get involved with the WC.

Wasn't that opportunity a one off for the 2000 world cup.

I thought the rules had been changed so that whoever plays for each country in the world cup will need to committ to playing for that country only.

Correct me if I'm wrong?

The exception would be Civoniceva but hasn't he announced that he'll retire from playing for Australia before the world cup and after the world cup he won't be able to play for Australia again...

 

[nadera78]

I think it should be strictly enforced; one player one country. No ecuses.

And of the pacific nations I think Samoa will suffer because fo the local players rule. They just don't have any of note to step up to the national team. Lots of NZ/AUS players with heritage that can play, but no locals.

And Fiji will probably qualify for the main event.

 

[roopy]

Wasn't that opportunity a one off for the 2000 world cup.

I thought the rules had been changed so that whoever plays for each country in the world cup will need to committ to playing for that country only.

Correct me if I'm wrong?

The exception would be Civoniceva but hasn't he announced that he'll retire from playing for Australia before the world cup and after the world cup he won't be able to play for Australia again...

I don't think it has really been decided - but i think it will be the same as last WC in that players will be able to play for a minor country without penalty.

 

[girvie]

I wonder what the strongest side Fiji could put together will be.

1 Jarryd Hayne (Parramatta NRL)
2 Semi Tadulala (Wakefield ESL)
3 Namila Davui (Canterbury PL)
4 Daryl Millard (Dragons NRL)
5 Wes Naiqama (Dragons NRL)
6 John Sutton (Souths NRL)
7 Aaron Groom (Manly JF)
8 Petero Civoniceva (Broncos NRL)
9 James Storer (Parramatta PL)
10 Tabua Cakacaka (Gateshead UK)
11 Netani Suka (Wests PL)
12 Ashton Sims (Dragons NRL)
13 Peewee Moke (Cronulla PL)

14 Puna Rasaubale (Wests PL)
15 Pio Rokomaqisa (North Sydney JF)
16 Trent Waicokacola (Parramatta JF)
17 Wise Kativerata (Souths PL)

 

[brendothejet]

you guys are all missing Max Banivalu, played against NZ Maori and in pacific cup.

He plays with NEwtown Jets.

Freak. One Word. Freak.

 

[Jackal Dog]

It is interesting to note Joe Rockocko played fullback for Fiji at the last League World Cup he is now a member of the All Blacks and one of the finest wingers in the world in both codes, hopefully this team will produce some similar talent and we won't let it go to waste this time!

 

[East Coast Tiger]

Is it not a rule that there be a minimum number of deomestic based players in each WC team? Six in th esquad is what I understood it to be. If that's not the case I see little point in fielding a team full of premier league players most of whom would have never been to Fiji. It might give them a decent team in the WC but it's not really going to help develop the game there. If all Fijian players are already signed to NRL clubs (or Super League) there is no room for domestic players to get a run and possibly catch the eye of a pro club. While competing strongly in the WC is important, I think a big part of the tournament has to be giving players from (I mean really from) emerging/smaller nations a chance to shine on a bigger stage.

 

[International RL]

definately...

i've said it before and I'll say it again, it is utterly POINTLESS to have people play under the grand parent rule simply because they're not good enough to play for Australia at that stage of their careers.

If they play for another nation, thats IT for life. If we don't enforce this, mark my words the WC will be a joke. Yes other sports may have done this in the past, but they don't cop a hammering in the press. Unfortunately that is the way it is, so we need to accept it. I don't mind if a player chooses to use the grandparent rule, but its a one way ticket for your career. If that discourages players from doing so, so be it, but at least it will be credible and a chance to see some other players get an opportunity and not a bunch of premier leaguers looking for a game

 

[girvie]

Obviously there will be players named in the team who are from Fiji's domestic competition. I didn't name them in my side because i have no idea who the top players in Fiji are.

A lot of the players i named were born in Fiji.

 

[carlnz]

Here is the Fiji Squad for the last world cup
Jimi Bolakoro Bounty Rum Crushers 1
Tabuanitoga Cakacaka Cootamundra 3 1 4
Jone Kuraduadua Bellingen-Dorrigo 2 1 4
Josefa Lasagavibau Nadera Panthers 2
Samuela Marayawa Ourimbah 2
Roger Matakamikamica Whitsunday 1
Eprama Navale Northern Eagles 3 1 4
Mesake Navugona Bounty Rum Crushers 1
Setereki Rakabula Bounty Rum Crushers 1
Fred Robart Te Atatu 3
Stephen Smith Otahuhu Leopards 2
Waisale Sovatabua Huddersfield Giants 3 1 4
Semi Tadulala Brisbane Wests 2
Amani Takayawa Nadi Steelers 2
Josese Tamani Cabramatta 2
Farasiko Tokarei Nadi Steelers 3
Kalaveti Tuiyabayaba Bounty Rum Crushers 3
Lote Tuqiri (capt) Brisbane Broncos 3 4 5 26
Nikotimo Vakararawa Lismore Workers 1
Etuate Vakatawa Tumbarumba 3
Samuela Valelala Ourimbah 1
Atunaisa Vunivalu Serua Dragons 3 3 1 14
Peceli Vuniyayawa Queanbeyan 2
Peceli Wawavanua Wallangarra 1 1