The Vodafone Fiji Bati rugby league team faces a crucial match against the Cook Islands this Saturday, as they seek a spot in the promotion-relegation match. This follows their recent defeat to the Papua New Guinea Kumuls, where they lost 22-10 at HFC Bank Stadium in Suva on Saturday night.
The victor of the Pacific Bowl Championship will challenge the third-ranked team from the Pacific Cup, with the winner advancing to compete in the Cup championship next season.
Bati head coach Waisake Kativerata reflected on the team’s performance, acknowledging they did not execute their game plan effectively. The Kumuls secured a strong 16-0 lead by half-time.
“We didn’t play to our standard,” Kativerata remarked. “In the first half, we gave away four seven-tackle sets in a row, which proved decisive. You can’t afford to make such mistakes against a team like Papua New Guinea.”
Kativerata noted that the Kumuls had already played an additional game compared to his side, with most of their players having participated the previous week against the Australia PM’s XIII. He mentioned missed opportunities, suggesting that passes were often backwards or delayed.
Despite the challenges, Kativerata is looking ahead to the match against the Aitu men, emphasizing the need for preparation. “We have a lot to work on and need to regroup quickly because we only have one week until the next game,” he stated. “I need to meet with the coaching staff to devise a proper plan.”
The coaching staff includes seasoned players like John Sutton and Jarryd Hayne, who bring valuable experience to the team. Kativerata also commended the forwards for their resilience during the match against the Kumuls.