Fiji national rugby league team
Template:Short description Script error: No such module "Infobox".Template:Template other The Fiji national rugby league team, nicknamed the Bati (pronounced Script error: No such module "IPA".), 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 6th in the International Rugby League's World Rankings. They are coached by Fijian Wise Kativerata, and their captain is Tui Kamikamica. The team will typically perform the hymn "Noqu Masu" before each match, singing in unison.[1]
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 Rugby League World Sevens, the Batis began playing full 13-aside games against international teams. By 1994, Fiji had hammered the Great Britain amateurs 40–8 and, captained by mighty front-rower James Pickering, beat Template:Rlnt 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 ARL, 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 Template:Rlnt. 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
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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.
In the 2017 Rugby League World Cup in New Zealand & Australia, Fiji topped Group D before recording their biggest upset victory, defeating New Zealand 4–2 in the quarter-finals. They then lost to Australia 54–6 in the semi-finals.
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.
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Players
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Current squad
The squad selected for the 2024 Pacific Championships was announced on 8 October 2024.[3][4]
Statistics in the table are drawn from the website, Rugby League Project, and include the NRL Grand Final on 6 October 2024.
| J# | Player | Age | Position(s) | Fiji Bati | Club | NRL | SL | Other Reps | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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| 1 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | 22 | Template:Rlp | 2022 | 8 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 20 | Template:Flagdeco Template:Leagueicon Penrith Panthers | 52 | 52 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | 31 | Template:Rlp | 2019 | 12 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 48 | Template:Flagdeco Template:Leagueicon Parramatta Eels | 115 | 115 | 0 | 0 | |
| 3 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | 36 | Template:Rlp | 2024 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 12 | Template:Flagdeco Template:Leagueicon Sydney Roosters | 80 | 307 | 0 | 0 | Template:Flagdeco 7 Template:Flagdeco 11 Template:Leagueicon 18 File:Queanbeyan United Colours.png 3 Template:Leagueicon 4 Template:Leagueicon 4 |
| 4 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | 30 | Template:Rlp | 2017 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 12 | Template:Flagdeco Template:Leagueicon St Helens R.F.C. | 0 | 165 | 22 | 22 | Template:Leagueicon 1 |
| 5 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | 25 | Template:Rlp | 2022 | 8 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 16 | Template:Flagdeco Template:Leagueicon North Queensland Cowboys | 13 | 42 | 0 | 0 | |
| 6 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | 35 | Template:Rlp | 2009 | 27 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 42 | Template:Flagdeco Template:Leagueicon Huddersfield Giants | 0 | 120 | 48 | 115 | |
| 7 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | 22 | Template:Rlp | 2023 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 8 | Template:Flagdeco Template:Leagueicon Dolphins (NRL) | 18 | 18 | 0 | 0 | |
| 8 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | 30 | Template:Rlp | 2016 | 22 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 12 | Template:Flagdeco Template:Leagueicon Melbourne Storm | 114 | 114 | 0 | 0 | |
| 9 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | 23 | Template:Rlp | 2024 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Template:Flagdeco Template:Leagueicon Wests Tigers | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 10 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | 28 | Template:Rlp | 2016 | 16 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 20 | Template:Flagdeco Template:Leagueicon Leigh Leopards | 0 | 2 | 25 | 60 | |
| 11 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | 29 | Template:Rlp | 2015 | 18 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 44 | Template:Flagdeco Template:Leagueicon Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs | 32 | 155 | 0 | 0 | |
| 12 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | 29 | Template:Rlp | 2017 | 15 | 4 | 16 | 0 | 48 | Template:Flagdeco Template:Leagueicon South Sydney Rabbitohs | 69 | 88 | 0 | 0 | |
| 13 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | 21 | Template:Rlp | 2023 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | Template:Flagdeco Template:Leagueicon Manly Warringah Sea Eagles | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
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| 21 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | 26 | Template:Rlp | 2017 | 9 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 12 | Template:Flagdeco Template:Leagueicon Doncaster R.L.F.C. | 0 | 0 | 0 | 42 | |
| Template:Ndash | Script error: No such module "Sort". | 24 | Template:Rlp | Template:Mdash | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Template:Flagdeco Template:Leagueicon South Sydney Rabbitohs | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
Notes:
- Age is as at the last update, 26 October 2024 (after the game against Cook Islands).
- Waqa Blake has previously played for City Origin.
- Penioni Tagituimua played for the Fiji Prime Minister's XIII in 2019.
- Clubs outside the NRL and Super League are shaded in the above table.
Records
- Bold- denotes that the player is still active.
Most capped players
| # | Name | Career | Caps |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kevin Naiqama | 2009-2022 | 25 |
| 2 | Akuila Uate | 2006-2018 | 18 |
| 3 | Apisai Koroisau | 2013-2022 | 17 |
| Tui Kamikamica | 2016-2022 | 17 | |
| Eloni Vunakece | 2007-2018 | 17 | |
| 6 | Viliame Kikau | 2015-2022 | 16 |
| Junior Roqica | 2011-2019 | 16 | |
| 8 | Ashton Sims | 2008-2017 | 15 |
| 9 | Wes Naiqama | 2006-2014 | 14 |
| James Storer | 2008-2017 | 14 | |
| Ben Nakubuwai | 2016-2022 | 14 |
Top try scorers
| # | Name | Career | Tries |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Akuila Uate | 2006-2018 | 14 |
| 2 | Suliasi Vunivalu | 2017-2019 | 12 |
| 3 | Viliame Kikau | 2015-2022 | 11 |
| 4 | Kevin Naiqama | 2009-2022 | 10 |
| 5 | Jarryd Hayne | 2008, 2017-2018 | 8 |
Top points scorers
| # | Name | Career | Points | Tries | Goals | Field Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wes Naiqama | 2006-2014 | 132 | 7 | 52 | 0 |
| 2 | Brandon Wakeham | 2019-2022 | 66 | 1 | 31 | 0 |
| 3 | Akuila Uate | 2006-2018 | 56 | 14 | 0 | 0 |
| 4 | Suliasi Vunivalu | 2017-2019 | 50 | 12 | 1 | 0 |
| 5 | Apisai Koroisau | 2013-2022 | 46 | 1 | 21 | 0 |
Competitive record
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The table below shows Fiji's all-time international rugby league record as of 21 October 2024.[5] They have been participating in International fixtures since 1992.[6]
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Rugby League World Cup
| World Cup record | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Round | Position | GP | W | L | D | |||||
| Template:Flagicon 1995 | Group stage | 6/10 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | |||||
| Template:FlagiconTemplate:FlagiconTemplate:FlagiconTemplate:FlagiconTemplate:Flagicon 2000 | Group stage | 12/16 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | |||||
| Template:Flagicon 2008 | Semi-finals | 4/10 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | |||||
| Template:FlagiconTemplate:Flagicon 2013 | Semi-finals | 4/14 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 0 | |||||
| Template:FlagiconTemplate:FlagiconTemplate:Flagicon 2017 | Semi-finals | 4/14 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | |||||
| Template:Flagicon 2021 | Quarter-Finals | 6/16 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | |||||
| Template:FlagiconTemplate:Flagicon 2026 | qualified | ||||||||||
| Total | 0 Titles | 4/13 | 24 | 12 | 12 | 0 | |||||
Four Nations
| Four Nations record | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Round | Position | GP | W | L | D | ||
| Template:FlagiconTemplate:Flagicon 2009 | Not Invited | |||||||
| Template:FlagiconTemplate:Flagicon 2010 | Failed to Qualify | |||||||
| Template:FlagiconTemplate:Flagicon 2011 | Not Invited | |||||||
| Template:FlagiconTemplate:Flagicon 2014 | Failed to Qualify | |||||||
| Template:Flagicon 2016 | Not Invited | |||||||
| Total | 0 Titles | 0/5 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | ||
Pacific Cup
| Pacific Cup record | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Round | Position | GP | W | L | D | ||
| Template:Flagicon 1992 | Group stage | 9/10 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | ||
| Template:Flagicon 1994 | Second Place | 2/10 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | ||
| Template:Flagicon 1997 | Group stage | 5/6 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | ||
| Template:Flagicon 2004 | Group stage | 4/6 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | ||
| Template:Flagicon 2006 | Second Place | 2/6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | ||
| Template:Flagicon 2009 | Semi-finals | 3/5 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | ||
| Total | 0 Titles | 6/12 | 20 | 9 | 10 | 1 | ||
IRL Rankings
See also
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- Fiji National Rugby League Competition
- Fiji women's national rugby league team
- Fiji National Rugby League
- Rugby league in Fiji
References
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- ↑ https://www.thecoconet.tv/songbook/islandjams/noqu-masu-fiji-batis-pre-game-hymn/
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External links
Template:Fiji Bati Template:National sports teams of Fiji Script error: No such module "Navbox". Template:Pacific Rugby League Championship Script error: No such module "Navbox".