Canterbury Bulldogs’ hooker Penioni Tagituimua is anticipated to be included in the Fiji Bati squad today. This follows the news that Wests Tigers captain and Fiji representative Api Koroisau will be absent from the Pacific Championships due to a three-match suspension for a dangerous tackle during a recent game against the Eels.
Koroisau’s tackle on Clint Gutherson in the 52nd minute at Campbelltown Sports Stadium has been classified as a Grade 2 offense, marking his second infraction, which has resulted in the three-match ban with an early guilty plea.
“Tagituimua has consistently given his all for the jersey in the past,” stated national coach Wise Kativerata. “His performance at the last World Cup was commendable, and we are eager to have him back in the squad,” he added.
Tagituimua began his rugby league career in 2013 with the Nadera Panthers in the Vodafone Cup competition. In 2019, he was the sole representative from the Fijian domestic league to be selected for Fiji’s squad in a mid-season match against Lebanon. Initially named as the 18th man, injuries and unavailability within the team allowed him to make a Test debut from the interchange bench in a dominant 56–14 victory.
Fiji Bati’s Pacific Bowl campaign is set to commence against Papua New Guinea on Saturday, October 19, in Fiji, followed by a match against the Cook Islands a week later. The winner of the Pacific Bowl will compete against the third-placed team in the Pacific Cup at CommBank Stadium on Sunday, November 10, in a promotion-relegation match for the next year’s tournament. The team announcement is expected to occur today.