Fiji national rugby league team

The Fiji national rugby league team, nicknamed the Bati (pronounced [mˈbatʃi]), has been participating in international rugby league football since 1992. The team is controlled by the governing body for rugby league in Fiji, Fiji National Rugby League (FNRL), which is currently a member of the Asia-Pacific Rugby League Confederation (APRLC). Fiji have thrice reached the semi-finals of the Rugby League World Cup, in 2008, 2013 and 2017, and are currently ranked 5th in the Rugby League International Federation's World Rankings.

Fiji
Team information
NicknameFiji Bati
Governing bodyFiji National Rugby League
RegionAsia-Pacific
Head coachBrandon Costin [1]
CaptainKorbin Sims
Most capsAkuila Uate (18)
Top try-scorerAkuila Uate (14)
Top point-scorerWes Naiqama (132)
Home stadiumNational Stadium
RLIF ranking5th
Uniforms
First colours
Team results
First international
Western Samoa 32–18 Fiji 
(Apia, Samoa; 1992)
Biggest win
 Fiji 72–6 Wales 
(Townsville, Australia; 5 November 2017)
Biggest defeat
 Australia 84–14 Fiji 
(Marathon Stadium, Newcastle; 12 July 1994)
World Cup
Appearances5 (first time in 1995)
Best resultSemi-finals, 2008, 2013, 2017

History

1990s

The game was introduced to Fiji only in 1992 but despite this there has been a long history of Fijian players making their mark in rugby league, most notably back in the 1960s when great players such as Joe Levula and Laitia Ravouvou joined Rochdale Hornets and became household names in the English competition.

Interest and participation in rugby league snowballed throughout Fiji, and as well as continued success in the World Sevens, the Batis began playing full 13-aside games against international teams. By 1994, Fiji had hammered the Great Britain Amateur tourists (40-8) and, captained by mighty front-rower James Pickering, beat France (20-12).

They had also produced their first rugby league superstar after winger Noa Nadruku joined Canberra Raiders and in 1993 became the top try-scorer in the Australian competition.

Fiji took part in their first World Cup in 1995 where, just as the 2000 World Cup, they had the misfortune to be placed in the same group as both England and Australia. But the Batis made a massive impression in their opening World Cup game in which they ran riot against South Africa, 52-6, and had the crowd on their feet at Keighley.

During the Super League war, Fiji, like most countries other countries, aligned itself with Super League. In search of international competition, the Australian Rugby League played a match against a "National Rugby League of Fiji" team in 1996. This match has been granted Test status by the Australian Rugby League, but not by the Rugby League International Federation.

2000s

Coached by Don Furner, Sr. and captained by Lote Tuqiri, Fiji competed in the 2000 World Cup but did not progress past the tournament's group stage.

The Fiji Bati qualified for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup held in Australia after finishing second in Pacific qualifying behind Tonga. Fiji's qualification campaign started with a thrilling 30-28 loss to Samoa before reversing the scoreline a few days later with a 30-28 win over the Tongans. Fiji won their final qualifying game against Cook Islands 40-4. Having qualified the Vodafone Fiji Bati team started their Rugby League World Cup 2008 campaign with 42-6 win over France followed by a 2-point defeat to Scotland, however they topped their group with a superior points difference. Beating Ireland in their quarter final they came within one match of the World Cup final, but were defeated by Australia, ending the tournament in 4th place.

2010s

Fiji automatically qualified for the 2013 Rugby League World Cup after participating in the 2008 tournament. They took on Australia, England and Ireland in the pool stage. In their first match they took on 'the Wolfhounds'. They played at the famous Spotland Stadium, in Rochdale, where Fiji have an historic affiliation with. The Fijians convincingly won by a score of 32-14. As expected Fiji lost to both Australia and England, although they surprised many, as they only conceded 34 points against the teams in each game and they led 2-0 against Australia, and were within a few minutes of taking a half-time lead against England. Fiji would take on 'fierce Pacific rivals' Samoa in the quarter final. They won the, passionate pacific, fixture and they would celebrate with a 22-4 victory. They celebrated even more, as it meant Fiji reached their second consecutive World Cup semi-final. They took on Australia again, but this game was nothing like the group stage fixture. Fiji's errors conceded them 62 points against a classy Australian side. This defeat ended and equalled their best World Cup campaign in their history.

In May 2014, Fiji took on Samoa in the 2014 Pacific Rugby League Test at Penrith Stadium. The International was created as a qualifier for the final 2014 Four Nations spot. It was also a chance for the Four Nations team (winner of this international) to warm-up before the event kicked off later in the year. Fiji failed to qualify with their fierce pacific rivals getting the better of them by 32-16.

In May 2015, Fiji took on Papua New Guinea in the 2015 Melanesian Cup test at Cbus Super Stadium. Fiji won the match and the inaugural Melanesian Cup title.[2] Fiji never looked like losing the match after an easy first half performance, leading 18-0 at the break. They went on to win the test match by 22-10.

In May 2016, Fiji took on Papua New Guinea in the 2016 Melanesian Cup test at Pirtek Stadium. Fiji had a similar situation in this year's Melanesian Cup with a half-time score of 16-8 but this time around they conceded too many second half points allowing the Kumuls to make a shock comeback and win the match 24-22.

2020s

Fiji automatically qualified for the 2021 Rugby League World Cup having reached the semi finals of the previous Rugby League World Cup. The 2021 tournament will take place in England.

Main article: 2021 Rugby League World Cup qualifying

Kit
Primary
1992–1995
1995 World Cup
2008 World Cup

Players
For all past and present players who have appeared for the national team, see Fiji national rugby league team players.

Current squad

17 man squad vs PNG Kumuls for the 2019 Pacific Test.[3]

Pos. Player Club
Fullback Sitiveni Moceidreke Sunshine Coast Falcons
Wing Maika Sivo Parramatta Eels
Centre Taane Milne New Zealand Warriors
Centre Brayden Wiliame Catalan Dragons
Wing Suliasi Vunivalu Melbourne Storm
Five-eighth Kevin Naiqama St Helens
Halfback Brandon Wakeham Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
Prop Kane Evans Parramatta Eels
Hooker Joe Lovodua St George Illawarra Dragons
Prop Tui Kamikamica Melbourne Storm
Second-row Viliame Kikau Penrith Panthers
Second-row Ben Nakubuwai Salford Red Devils
Lock D'Rhys Miller Wentworthville Magpies
Second-row Lamar Manuel-Liolevave Tweed Heads Seagulls
Halfback Joseph Ratuvakacereivalu Western Suburbs Magpies
Second-row King Vuniyayawa New Zealand Warriors
Halfback Penioni Tagituimua Nadera Panthers

Tournament history

Rugby League World Cup
Further information: Fiji at the Rugby League World Cup
World Cup record
Year Round Position GP W L D
1995Group Stage6/103120
2000Group Stage12/163120
2008Semi-finals4/104220
2013Semi-finals4/145230
2017Semi-finals4/145410
20210/00000
Total0 Titles4/132010100

Four Nations
Four Nations record
Year Round Position GP W L D
2009Not Invited
2010Failed to Qualify
2011Not Invited
2014Failed to Qualify
2016Not Invited
Total0 Titles0/50030

Pacific Cup
Pacific Cup record
Year Round Position GP W L D
1992Group Stage9/104130
1994Second Place2/106420
1997Group Stage5/63021
2004Group Stage4/62110
2006Second Place2/63210
2009Semi-finals3/52110
Total0 Titles6/12209101

Other competitions

Fiji have also participated in:

International Results
Main article: Fiji national rugby league team results

The following table underneath shows Fiji's all-time rugby league results record. They have been participating in International fixtures since 1992.[4]

Tonga have played 83 internationals with the most recent being played on 2 November 2019 against Australia.

International Results
Country Matches Won Drawn Lost Win % For Aga Diff
 American Samoa1100100%1614+2
 Australia6016%16336–320
Australian Aboriginies1100100%2120+1
 Canada1100100%2612+14
 Cook Islands1161454.55%323181+142
 England3003%22146–124
England Knights1100100%448+36
 France2200100%6218+44
 Great Britain1001%472–68
 Ireland2200100%6228+34
 Italy1100100%3810+28
 Lebanon320166.67%10276+26
 Māori1001%1232–20
 New Zealand1100100%42+2
New Zealand XIII1100100%3416+18
 Niue210150%3438–4
 Papua New Guinea720528.57%102175–73
Russia1100100%3812+26
Samoa1280466.67%274184+90
 Scotland1001%1618–2
 South Africa1100100%526+46
 Tonga1251641.67%215240–25
 United States1100100%5812+46
 Wales1100100%726+66
Total794123651.9%17431784–41
Below are the previous 5 matches of the national team."
9 November 2019
17:20 NZDT (UTC+13)
Fiji  22 – 20  Papua New Guinea
Try: Kamikamica, Kikau, Nakubuwai, Wiliame
Goal: Wakeham (3/4)
 Try: Boas, Gebbie, Martin
Goal: Martin (4/4)
Rugby League Park, Christchurch[5]
Attendance: 8,875
Referee: Chris Kendall (England)

Notes:

  • Daniel Russell (Papua New Guinea) made his Test debut, while Alex Johnston made his debut for Papua New Guinea having previously represented Australia.
2 November 2019
14:20 NZDT (UTC+13)
Samoa  18 – 44  Fiji
Try: Taufua (2), Lafai, Mulitalo
Goal: Lafai (1/4)
 Report Try: Kikau (2), Miller, Lovodua, Lumelume, Naiqama, Ratuvakacereivalu, Wiliame
Goal: Wakeham (5/6), Moceidreke (1/2)
Eden Park, Auckland[5]
Attendance: 25,257
Referee: Grant Atkins (Australia)

Notes:

22 June 2019
17:40 AEST (UTC+10)
Fiji  58 – 14  Lebanon
Try: Bukuya (2), Sivo (2), Vunivalu (2), Lovodua, Kamikamica, Kikau, Wakeham
Goal: Wakeham (8/9), Roqica (1/1)
 Try: Miski (2), Lichaa
Goal: Maarbani (1/2), Robinson (0/1)
Leichhardt Oval, Sydney
Attendance: 8,408
Referee: Matt Cecchin (Australia)[6]

Melanesian Cup
23 June 2018
16:00 AEST (UTC+10)
Papua New Guinea  26 – 14  Fiji
Try: Rau (2), Olam, Page
Goal: Martin (5/5)
 Report Try: Montoya, Phillips, Vunivalu
Goal: Moceidreke (1/2), Raiwalui (0/1)

Australia vs Fiji
24 November 2017
19:00 AEDT (UTC+10)
Australia  54 – 6  Fiji
Tries:
Holmes (18', 24', 42', 51', 65', 75') 6
Gagai (31', 69') 2
Slater (14', 48') 2
Goals:
Smith 7/10
(15', 19', 33', 43', 49', 53', 67')		 1st: 22 – 2
2nd: 32 – 4
Report		 Tries:
1 (59') Vunivalu
Goals:
1/2 Koroisau
(7' pen)
Brisbane Stadium, Brisbane
Attendance: 22,073
Referee: Gerard Sutton (Australia)
Man of the Match: Cameron Smith (Australia)
Team lists:
FB 1 Billy Slater
WG 2 Dane Gagai
CE 3 Will Chambers
CE 4 Josh Dugan
WG 5 Valentine Holmes
FE 6 Michael Morgan
HB 7 Cooper Cronk
PR 8 Aaron Woods
HK 9 Cameron Smith (c)
PR 10 David Klemmer
SR 11 Boyd Cordner
SR 12 Matt Gillett
LK 13 Josh McGuire
Substitutes:
IC 14 Wade Graham
IC 15 Jordan McLean
IC 16 Reagan Campbell-Gillard
IC 17 Tyson Frizell
Coach:
Mal Meninga
FB 1 Kevin Naiqama (c)
WG 2 Suliasi Vunivalu
CE 3 Taane Milne
CE 4 Akuila Uate
WG 5 Marcelo Montoya
FE 6 Jarryd Hayne
HB 7 Henry Raiwalui
PR 8 Ashton Sims
HK 9 Apisai Koroisau
PR 10 Eloni Vunakece
SR 11 Viliame Kikau
SR 12 Brayden Wiliame
LK 13 Tui Kamikamica
Substitutes:
IC 14 Joe Lovodua
IC 15 Jacob Saifiti
IC 16 Junior Roqica
IC 17 Ben Nakubuwai
Coach:
Michael Potter
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See also

References
  1. https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/sports/rugby-league/brandon-costin-is-the-new-fiji-bati-coach/
  2. "Fiji vs. PNG 2015 Melanesian Cup". Nrl.com. Retrieved 2 May 2015.
  3. https://www.nrl.com/news/2019/11/09/fiji-edge-png-in-razzle-dazzle-thriller-in-christchurch/
  4. "Fiji Head to Head". rugbyleagueproject. Retrieved 6 May 2020.
  6. "Match officials for RLWC2021 Qualifier and RLIF Oceania Cup fixtures". RLIF. 19 June 2019. Retrieved 19 June 2019.
  7. "2018 Pacific Test Invitational schedule finalised". NRL.com. 15 May 2018. Retrieved 16 May 2018.
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