All attention is focused on the Vodafone Fiji Bati as they prepare to face the Cook Islands Aitutaki tonight. A victory over the Cook Islands would significantly enhance the Bati’s chances of qualifying for the 2026 Rugby League World Cup.
The Bati’s path to World Cup qualification encountered a setback last Saturday, when they suffered a 22-10 loss to the Papua New Guinea Kumuls in front of a bustling crowd at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva.
Despite this setback, head coach Wise Kativerata believes that tonight’s match is crucial for the team. “It’s important, very important, not only to the Bati but to the Fiji Rugby League as we build towards the World Cup,” Kativerata said.
Reflecting on last week’s game against the Kumuls, he noted that while many focused on the final score, the core issues that needed addressing were overlooked. “Last week a lot of people looked at the score; they didn’t consider the fundamental aspects we needed to work on,” he added.
Kativerata pointed out that the Bati’s issues, such as intercepts, were areas that the Kumuls exploited during the match.
On another note, regardless of tonight’s result, the Bati could still qualify for the Rugby League World Cup if the Cook Islands manage to defeat the Kumuls in Port Moresby next month.
The Bati’s match against the Cook Islands is scheduled for 8:10 PM at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva.
Leave a comment