The Vodafone Fiji Bati rugby league team faces a crucial match against the Cook Islands this Saturday, needing a victory to secure a spot in the promotion-relegation game. This follows their recent defeat to Papua New Guinea Kumuls, where they lost 22-10 at HFC Bank Stadium in Suva.
The Pacific Bowl Championship winner will compete against the third-ranked team from the Pacific Cup, aiming for a place in the Cup championship next season. Head coach Waisake Kativerata acknowledged that the team did not execute their game plan effectively during the match.
The Kumuls took charge early, leading 16-0 by halftime. 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 all the difference. You can’t afford that against a team like Papua New Guinea.”
He pointed out that the Kumuls had an advantage, having already played an additional game, with many of their players featuring in the recent match against Australia PM’s XIII. While the Bati created opportunities, they failed to capitalize, often making late passes or backward plays.
“Even when we completed our sets, our kicking game was not up to par,” Kativerata said. Moving forward, he emphasized that they need to regroup quickly, with only a week until their next game against the Aitu men. He plans to collaborate with his coaching staff to devise an effective strategy, recognizing the challenge presented by players from various NRL clubs.
The coaching team includes most-capped Rabbitohs player John Sutton, whose roots trace back to Rotuma, and Jarryd Hayne, who also serves as a mentor for the squad. Kativerata expressed appreciation for the forwards, commending their tenacity against the Kumuls.