Canterbury Bulldogs hooker Penioni Tagituimua is anticipated to be included in the Fiji Bati squad today. This development comes after Wests Tigers captain and Fiji representative Api Koroisau was suspended for three matches due to a dangerous tackle during his team’s defeat against the Eels, which means he will miss the Pacific Championships.
Koroisau’s tackle on Clint Gutherson, assessed as a Grade 2 offense in the 52nd minute at Campbelltown Sports Stadium, resulted in a three-game ban because it was his second infraction, even with an early guilty plea.
National coach Wise Kativerata expressed confidence in Tagituimua, stating, “In the past, Tagituimua has always given his best for the jersey. We saw that in the last World Cup, Tagituimua did a great job and we look forward to seeing him back in the squad.”
Tagituimua began his rugby league career with the Nadera Panthers in the Vodafone Cup competition in 2013. He became the only player from Fiji’s domestic league to be selected for their mid-season match against Lebanon in 2019. Although he was initially named as the 18th man, injuries and unavailability of other players allowed him to make his Test debut, contributing to a 56–14 victory.
Fiji Bati will begin their Pacific Bowl campaign against Papua New Guinea on Saturday, October 19, in Fiji, followed by a match against the Cook Islands the following week. The winner of the Pacific Bowl will face the third-placed team in the Pacific Cup at CommBank Stadium on Sunday, November 10, in a crucial promotion-relegation match for next year’s tournament. The team selection is expected to be announced today.