For hooker Kurt Donoghoe, wearing the Vodafone Fiji Bati jersey represents more than just his connection to Fiji; it has deepened his familial ties. He last visited Fiji for a family reunion when he was just 12 years old, and now at 22, he has the opportunity to play in front of his family.
Donoghoe is eligible to play for the Bati through his paternal grandmother, who hails from the Thaggard family in Savusavu. He made his debut for the national team during last year’s Pacific Bowl Championship in Papua New Guinea.
“This year, wearing the jersey in Fiji has made me feel much closer to my roots,” he shared. “Meeting family members I hadn’t met before was an amazing experience. Playing in front of them and receiving my jersey after the game really connected me to Fiji in a way I didn’t feel in Papua New Guinea.”
While he has friends on the opposing Cook Islands Aitu team, Donoghoe is focused on the upcoming match. He anticipates a challenging game, saying, “It’s going to be an exciting and close contest, especially since they gave us a good run last year. They’ve been improving, and I’m sure they’ll come at us hard after our previous match.”
The game is set to start at 8:10 PM at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva.
In addition to his international endeavors, Donoghoe recently signed a one-year contract with the Dolphins and made his NRL debut in the first round of the 2023 season against the Sydney Roosters. He has since re-signed with the club through the end of 2025, participating in a total of 10 matches during the 2024 NRL season, where the team finished 10th on the points table.