Lack of specialised five-eighth, scrum half and hooker are concern in the Fijian Bati set-up ahead of the June Test against the Papua New Guinea Kumuls and the Rugby League World Cup.

Bati head coach Josaia Rabele confirmed to SUNsports that he is still identifying players that can play for Fiji in these positions.

The concern has driven the Fiji National Rugby League to map out a plan of establishing a Rugby League Academy in the country.

Rabele said the academy would solve the problem as it will assist them to develop players who can play in these positions.

“At the moment the only posi­tions that we have left with us are 6, 7 and 9,” Rabele said.

“The half, first-five eighth and the hooker are the main concern for us because we are lacking in these position.”

“This is one of the reason we wanted to establish an academy so that we can build on that posi­tion.

“Come 2023-2024 we don’t have to face the same problem, in search­ing for players for these posi­tions.”

Rabele said there are lots of second row, centres and wingers who are playing in top level com­petitions like the NRL (National Rugby League).

“My focus after this World Cup is to identify and develop players that can play in these positions.

“I want to breed them locally straight from the Vodafone Cup competition.

“My plan is to select a few young players from the Fiji Secondary Schools Rugby League competi­tion and some from the Vodafone Cup and prepare them for the next world cup.”

Rabele added that Fiji has a lot of talented players that can do the job.

“The future of rugby league in Fiji is bright.”

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