Ex-Bati For Rising
A former Vodafone Fijian Bati wing could be playing for Melbourne Rising against the Fiji Airways Fijian Drua in the Australian National Rugby Championship at Ratu Cakobau Park, Nausori on Saturday.
Last Saturday, the former National Rugby League (NRL) Manly Sea Eagles rep Fabian Goodall was named in the Melbourne Rising squad for this year’s NRC.
Speaking to SUNsports yesterday Goodall said this was his second year playing in the NRC after making his switch at the end of 2016. He played for the Western Sydney Rams in last year’s NRC.
“This is my first year with the Melbourne Rising,” Goodall said.
“I’d like to play in Super Rugby and that’s my overall goal when switching to rugby union.”
He said the NRC competition is tough and helps give players the opportunity to showcase their talents.
Goodall pointed out that he would be flying from Sydney to Melbourne for training before the travelling squad is finalised.
In October 2014, he made his international rugby league debut with the Fijian Bati when they took on Lebanon for the Hayne/Mannah Cup.
The following year, Goodall played at centre for the Bati against Papua New Guinea Kumuls where he scored a try in the 22-10 win at the Cbus Super Stadium (now known as Robina Stadium) in Gold Coast, Australia.
He then joined Parramatta Eels and moved on to Manly.
The NRC opener kicks-off at 3pm.
EVENING WITH THE CLASSIC WALLABIES
Shangri-La’s Fijian Resort and Spa will hold a charity benefit during an Evening with the Classic Wallabies that will feature a star studded line-up of both former and current Wallaby players.
The partnership between Shangri-La’s Fijian Resort and Spa is part of Shangri-La’s Embrace Care for People project and is being done in partnership with the Classic Wallabies.
“We are delighted to announce that this year we are partnering with the Classic Wallabies to raise awareness for the Fiji Kidney Research Centre,” said resident manager, Chris Hamilton.
“To this end we will be holding an evening with our Classic Wallabies with the likes of household names like Lote Tuqiri, Radike Samu and Samu Kerevi.”
All monies raised from the benefit will support ongoing dialysis treatment for children in Fiji.
In Fiji, 500 new and end stage kidney disease cases are reported annually. These cases usually require transplants.
Dialysis treatment is expensive and unaffordable for 80 per cent patients.
Diabetics are at the highest risk of developing kidney disease which is amongst the top three causes of mortality in Fiji.
“We hope to raise awareness of kidney disease through this partnership as Fiji now has the world’s highest rate of death by diabetes much of which is attributed to kidney disease,” said Hamilton.
– Edited by Osea Bola
Feedback: leonec@fijisun.com.fj
