Vodafone Fiji Bati head coach Wise Kativerata has recognized the aggressive tactics employed by the Papua New Guinea rugby league team, noting that their strategy is aimed at intimidating opponents. Despite this, Kativerata remains optimistic that his players can handle the challenges and stick to their game plan.
Last week, Kativerata kicked off the team’s preparations with a visit to Vanua Levu, allowing players to immerse themselves in the local culture and engage with the community. “It was a really good trip for the boys; they saw Vanua Levu and how people go about their daily lives,” Kativerata shared. The team visited schools and attended the youth awards night in Semi Valemei’s village, which he described as a meaningful experience.
After the trip, the Fiji Bati commenced their official training on Monday, concentrating on getting the team fit again following a break from matches. “My focus was to start our training on Monday and get some energy flowing. Most of these boys have not played for a week or even a month, so we need to get their legs moving,” he explained.
Kativerata emphasized the importance of self-improvement for the Fiji Bati, stating, “We can’t control time, but we can control what we build from today onward.” He also acknowledged the strong rugby league tradition in Papua New Guinea and the intense style of their play. “Papua New Guinea has a very aggressive style of football because their nation thrives on rugby league. They will come at you hard, trying to intimidate you, especially during the first 20 minutes.”
The Fiji Bati is set to take on the Kumuls at 8:10 PM this Saturday at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva.