Rugby league wants top officials for world cup
Arin Kumar
Friday, April 05, 2013
THE Fiji National Rugby League is looking at appointing high profile trainers and assistants to help with the preparations of the Fiji Bati side for the Rugby League World Cup.
One person on their radar is dual international Wise Kativerata.
The former Fiji Bati and Australian sevens rep is in the country conducting clinics at various venues to promote the sport.
FNRL general manager Tomi Finau said they were still working on securing his services and would make an announcement later.
He said Kativerata's input in preparing the Fiji Bati could be the catalyst that would take the national rugby league side to success.
"On one side he has the experience since he is a former Fiji Bati and he has played in the National Rugby League," Finau said.
"Another thing is that he has the qualifications and the understanding of what needs to be done to train and prepare a high profile team," he said.
Finau said since they would be getting a large number of NRL players for the Fiji Bati side, they would need someone who had been in regular contact with them and knew their needs and wants.
"Wise has been there all this time, in constant contact with them and knows a lot about them (NRL players).
"It is important to get the right personnel to look after the training needs of the players, medically and physically."
Meanwhile, the Fiji Bati manager would be named next week.
"We concluded the interviews earlier this week and will have a board meeting tomorrow (today) to discuss the matter so an announcement would be made next week," Finau said.
The Rugby League World Cup would be held in London in October.