The Fiji National Rugby League (FNRL) has started preparations early ahead of the 2017 Rugby League World Cup which will be hosted in Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea.

The Fiji Residents team will be playing New South Wales Country Rugby League team on Monday as part of preparations.

Coach Joe Rabele said in order for them to match up to top countries like Australia and New Zealand, they need to start preparing early.

“This game is a platform for us to gauge where we are. At the moment we have two Fiji Residents team; one in Suva and one in the west,” Rabele said.

Fiji Residents will be playing on Monday is made up of players around Suva, Nasinu, Ra and Dreketi, while the Fiji Residents in the West is made up of players around Nadroga, Navosa, Lautoka and Nadi.

“The new approach by FNRL is to get more local players into the Fiji Bati team,”Rabele said.

“Players who are playing in the NRL qualify automatically for the Fiji Bati and the remaining spots will be filled with local players,” he said.

Fiji is currently ranked sixth in the world with a total of 196 points behind New Zealand who is ranked one with 949 points, followed by Australia, England, Samoa and France.

Fiji Residents play NSW Country Rugby League team on Monday at 3pm at the ANZ Stadium, while the second game will be played in the West at Lawaqa Park on Friday at 3pm.

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