Australian Prime Minister’s XIII To Face Fiji Bati Here In October

It’s confirmed! The Australian Prime Minister’s XIII men and women’s teams are coming to play the Vodafone Fijian Bati and national women’s team at the ANZ Stadium, Suva in October.

This was confirmed yesterday by Fiji Na­tional Rugby League executive chairman Peni Musunamasi after he was told of the tour by Australian Rugby League Commis­sion chairman Peter Beattie.

“This is big for us as these are the first of­ficial Prime Minister’s XIII matches in the country,” Musunamasi said.

“I’ve spoken with the Fiji Bati coach about the tour and we’ve have to start with our preparations right away. This is a great ex­posure for our local players especially play­ing against a team make-up of NRL players.”

Musunamasi said this a great opportunity for the Bati to build-up for the Oceania Cup matches in November against Papua New Guinea Kumuls and Samoa in Auckland, New Zealand.

“FNRL is trying to bring to Fiji more inter­national games by 2020,” he added.

Musunamasi said they are working to stage the games on a Friday night, which is Octo­ber 11 and it coincides with the Fiji Day cel­ebrations.

“I look forward to the Prime Minister’s XIII matches in Fiji later this year– and the continued growth of rugby league right throughout the Pacific,” Beattie told NRL.com.

Edited by Grace Narayan

Feedback: leonec@fijisun.com.fj