Melbourne Storm try-scoring star Suliasi Vunivalu is cherishing his big moment of playing for the Vodafone Fiji Bati at the Rugby League World Cup in Australia which starts on October 27.

“It’s a big thing for me to play at the RLWC and I’m extremely proud,” he told SUNsports.

“I always wanted to play at the world cup and this is a dream come true for me.”

Reminiscing the Vodafone Fiji Bati’s remarkable performances in the last two rugby league world cups, Vunivalu says, they will be a threat this time.

“We can win the World Cup,” Vunivalu added.

The 21-year-old winger who was born and raised in Bagasau, Toorak in Suva said carrying the hopes of every Fijian at the World Cup will not be easy.

“The nation will be on my shoulders. I know there are a lot of expectations of me and I don’t want to let my fans down. I’ve trained hard for this and I’ve made a lot of sacrifice to come this far. I’ve won the NRL and now I want to win the world cup for Fiji.

“In the past two years I’ve worked hard representing Melbourne Storm but at the same time I was anxiously waiting for this day to be selected in the Fiji Bati team to play at the world cup.

“It will be tough against Australia and New Zealand but we got the players to do the job. I see the Fiji Bati as a stronger side and there is no reason why we can’t win this world cup.”

Vunivalu said he was nervous from the beginning of making it to the final squad.

“I know that there are other top players around but I had faith in God. I was anxious after the Fiji Residents and the Overseas Bati game on Saturday about making the squad but I was relieved after seeing my name on Facebook. I feel proud to play alongside the best players named in the Bati squad and I’m ready to represent my country.”

Edited by Leone Cabenatabua

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