The Vodafone Fiji Bati rugby league team is facing a crucial match against the Cook Islands this Saturday, as they seek to secure a spot in the promotion-relegation game. This comes after their defeat to the Papua New Guinea Kumuls, with a score of 22-10, during their recent outing at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva.
The winner of the Pacific Bowl Championship will have the opportunity to challenge the third-ranked team from the Pacific Cup, which could lead to participation in the Cup championship next season.
Head coach Waisake Kativerata acknowledged that his team did not execute their game plan effectively. The Kumuls established a strong lead, ending the first half at 16-0.
Kativerata noted, “We didn’t play to our standard. In the first half, we gave away four seven-tackle sets in a row, which made a significant difference. When facing a team like Papua New Guinea, such mistakes are critical.”
He pointed out that their opponents had the advantage of having played one extra game, with nearly 80% of their players competing the previous week against the Australia PM’s XIII. “We created chances but failed to capitalize; passes were either backwards or delayed,” he remarked.
Moving ahead, Kativerata expressed that the team must put the loss behind them and concentrate on preparing for the upcoming match against the Cook Islands. “We have a lot to work on; we need to regroup as we only have one week until the next game,” he stated.
The coaching team includes notable figures like John Sutton, a former Rabbitoh, and Jarryd Hayne, who also serves as a mentor. Kativerata commended the forwards for their efforts in the match against the Kumuls.