The Vodafone Fiji Bati rugby league team faces a critical match against the Cook Islands this Saturday, a must-win scenario for them to advance to the promotion-relegation game. This follows their recent defeat, where they lost 22-10 to the Papua New Guinea Kumuls at HFC Bank Stadium in Suva last Saturday night.
The winner of the Pacific Bowl Championship will earn the chance to compete against the third-ranked team in the Pacific Cup, with the ultimate goal of securing a position in the Cup championship next season.
Bati head coach Waisake Kativerata acknowledged his team’s failure to follow their game plan. The Kumuls took control early in the match, leading 16-0 at halftime. Kativerata remarked, “We didn’t play to our standard. In the first half, we surrendered four seven-tackle sets in a row, which proved decisive. Against a team like Papua New Guinea, you cannot afford such mistakes.”
He noted that the Kumuls had an advantage, having already played an additional game the previous week, with nearly 80 percent of their players participating against the Australia PM’s XIII. Kativerata expressed disappointment at missed opportunities, stating that their passing was either backward or delayed. “Even when we completed a set, our kicking game did not reach the desired outcome,” he added.
Despite the setback, Kativerata is now focused on preparing for the upcoming match against the Cook Islands. “We have a lot to work on and need to regroup quickly,” he stated. He emphasized the importance of strategic planning, especially since many players from the Cook Islands compete in various NRL clubs.
The Bati coaching staff features experienced figures, including the most-capped Rabbitohs player John Sutton, whose heritage is linked to Rotuma, and Jarryd Hayne, who also serves as a mentor for the team.
Kativerata acknowledged the efforts of the forwards, emphasizing that they did not give up during their match against the Kumuls.