Melbourne Storm rising star Suliasi Vunivalu is not going to play for the Vodafone Fijian Bati when they face Toa Samoa in Apia on October 8.

Bati head coach Mick Potter had advised the Fiji National Rugby League board about his 18-member squad.

“This is the best possible squad I could assemble at this particular stage of the season,” he said from Sydney yesterday.

It is understood that Vunivalu’s commitment with the Storm in the NRL grand final against the Sharks on Sunday could be a reason of his omission.

“We have many players that are unavailable for whatever reasons that doesn’t matter we are going into the game to win,” Potter said.

Potter also said Jarryd Hayne is very enthusiastic of being involved with the Bati team but unfortunately he could not make it due to commitments.

Two local based- players have made the 18-member squad.

Bati- Sitiveni Moceidreke (North Sydney Bears, NSW Cup), Tyrone Phillips (Canterbury Bulldogs), Kevin Naiqana (West Tigers), Brayden Williame (Manly Sea Eagles), Marcelo Montoya (Canterbury Bulldogs), Henry Raiwalui (Wenties Magpies, NSW Cup), Maurice Kennedy (Mounties, NSW Cup), Kane Evans (Sydney City Roosters), Apisai Koroisau (Manly Sea Eagles), Junior Roqica (Cronulla Sharks), Viliame Kikau (Penrith Panthers), Eloni Vunakece (Sydney City Roosters), Korbin Sims (Newcastle Knights), James Storer (Port Kembla), Erevonu Kamikamica (Melbourne Storm), Petero Nakubuwai (Melbourne Storm), Pio Seci (Nabua Broncos), Saimoni Lomaloma (Sabeto Roosters)

Edited by Leone Cabenatabua

Feedback:  simon.abana@fijisun.com.fj