The Vodafone Fiji Bati rugby league team faces a crucial match against the Cook Islands this Saturday, as they need a victory to secure a place in the promotion-relegation match. This follows their recent loss to Papua New Guinea Kumuls, where they fell 22-10 at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva last Saturday night.
The Pacific Bowl Championship winner will advance to challenge the third-ranked team from the Pacific Cup, with the prospect of competing in the Cup championship next season at stake. Bati’s head coach Waisake Kativerata expressed disappointment over his players’ performance, which did not align with their strategic plan.
During the match, the Kumuls established a strong 16-0 lead 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 a significant difference. When facing a team like Papua New Guinea, we cannot permit mistakes like that. They had played an additional match prior, and nearly 80 percent of their players had played against Australia PM’s XIII last week.”
He acknowledged that while the team created opportunities, they failed to take advantage, with issues in passing and timing. “Even when we completed a set, our kicking game did not reach the desired outcome,” he added.
Kativerata is now focused on the upcoming match against the Aitu men, emphasizing the need for the team to regroup as they have only one week to prepare. “We need to devise a plan, as we know their players come from various clubs within the NRL,” he stated. The coaching staff includes well-known figures like John Sutton, a Rabbitohs legend with Rotuma roots, and Jarryd Hayne, who also advises the team.
Despite the setback against the Kumuls, Kativerata praised his forwards for their resilience.