Rugby League World Cup Preview: Fiji

At The Sporting Base, we will be previewing all 16 Rugby League World Cup nations ahead of the men’s tournament’s kick-off on 15 October. In the sixth part of the series, we delve into the Fijians and whether arguably the strongest squad in their proud history has a fairytale run in them.

IRL Ranking: 6th

Group: B

Schedule: Australia (Headingley Stadium, Leeds); Italy (Kingston Park, Newcastle); Scotland (Kingston Park, Newcastle)

World Cup Appearances: 5 (1995, 2000, 2008, 2013, 2017)

Best Result: Semifinals (2008, 2013, 2017)

Head Coach: Joe Rabele

Title Odds: $101.00

Fiji Bati will make the trip to the UK with what may prove their strongest ever squad in a bid to build on three consecutive World Cup semi-final finishes.

Their most recent international outing was a disappointing 24-14 loss to Papua New Guinea in an intense affair at Campbelltown in June.

Their World Cup campaign will kick off against tournament favourites Australia in Leeds before facing Italy and Scotland in Newcastle who they should make light work of to set up a potential quarterfinal showdown against tournament heavyweights New Zealand.

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Fiji’s squad is expected to be largely made up of NRLers with several Super League campaigners also vying for spots. Kevin Naiqama and Viliame Kikau co-captained the side in their last outing and will be two important puzzle pieces throughout the tournament.

Penrith rookie Sunia Turuva is again expected to occupy the fullback spot after a wildly successful international debut in which he scored two tries, ran for a game-high 252 metres, and broke seven tackles.

Maika Sivo and Mikaele Ravalawa are expected to round out a powerful back three with George Jennings, Laitia Moceidreke, Pio Seci, Isaac Lumelume and Junior Ratuva as potential backups whilst Waqa Blake, Semi Valemei, and Marcelo Montoya among the names vying for spots in the centres. Fiji has a rich history of producing phenomenal outside backs from Noa Nadruku, Lote Tuqiri and Akuila Uate to Semi Radradra, Marika Koroibete, and Suliasi Vunivalu and it will be another strength of theirs this World Cup.

Kevin Naiqama is set to wear the five-eighth jumper again with Brandon Wakeham and Nautu’a Masima contenders to partner him. Fiji will be hopeful that Penrith star Apisai Koroisau puts his hand up to wear the black-and-blue and offer them a premier hooker to compliment their skilful backline and robust pack with Hull F.C.’s Joe Lovodua and Mounties’ Penioni Tagituimua also options at nine.

Viliame Kikau will line up on one edge with Tariq Sims, Taane Milne, King Vuniyayawa, and Lamar Manuel-Liolevave among those who may partner him. Sims appeared in all five of Fiji’s 2013 World Cup outings but has not made himself available for the side since or committed to this World Cup but, with the veteran entering the twilight of his career, there is hope he puts his hand up for one last campaign.

Tui Kamikamica is expected to head the middle forward rotation with question marks surrounding Jacob Saifiti and Reagan Campbell-Gillard’s status whilst Daniel Saifiti has ruled himself out of the tournament. Super Leaguers Korbin Sims and Kane Evans are also expected to be considered along with lower graders D’Rhys Miller, Pio Sokobalavu, Joseph Ratuvakacerivalu, Kaylen Miller and Ralulu Nasoki.

There is a lot to like about Fiji’s squad and, whilst some uncertainty still surrounds several of their big names, they will be a tough matchup regardless. They should have no dramas getting up the field given their powerful outside backs and middles whilst the likes of Koroisau, Kikau, Sivo and Ravalawa offer genuine options in attack. Whilst a halves pairing of Naiqama and Wakeham leaves a little to be desired they should make light work of Scotland and Italy before being tested past the group stage.

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