Italy Next On Fijian Bati’s List

Italy is next on the list for the Fijian Bati side after their 42-8 loss to defending Rugby League World Cup champions Australia at Leeds, England, yesterday morn­ing.

Speaking to FNRL Media, interim Bati head coach Wise Kativerata said the players are having a rest day on Sunday before they resume training on Monday.

Kativerata said it was hearten­ing to watch the performance of 19-year-old second rower Siua (Joshua) Wong and 20-year-old full-back Sunia Turuva.

Turuva scored the Bati’s second try while Phil Gould had rated Wong as the next big thing for NRL after making his debut for Sydney Roosters, this year.

“To improve, I think we should hold on to the ball,” Kativerata.

“We gave away possession seven times so that’s seven tackles and that’s more strength to the Austral­ian side.

“If we control the ball, hold on to possession, do our kicks well, I think we will roll against Italy and Scotland. This is before we will go from there to the quarterfinal.

“I think Joshua Wong, the second row, is only 19-years-old. He played 80 minutes and that’s a good effort for a 19-year-old.

“In the backline Sunia Turuva did really well, these are two young kids that performed really well.”

Kativerata said the Fijians did well in the opening 20 minutes as they took an early 4-0 lead after cen­tre Semi Valemei scored a try from following a Sitiveni Moceidreke grubber kick.

“However, we gave away several possessions and we did not com­plete,” Kativerata said.

“When we give away possessions to a strong team like Australia, that’s how they score tries against us.”

Feedback: sereana.salalo@fijisun.com.fj