Local Based Players To Play For Fijian Bati

Fiji National Rugby League chief ex­ecutive Timoci Naleba has urged club coaches to change their mind­set and stop relying on other sporting fed­erations to develop their players for them.

“We’ve a lot of expectations for our club members to perform because we want our players to be up to par when the 2021 Rug­by League World Cup comes,” Naleba said.

Given the low percentage of local players making it in to the Vodafone Fijian Bati squad, he says, plans were underway in rectifying that.

“We want our local players to have a chance to make it into our world cup squads and not just to be a part of it, but rather actually playing in it.”

The Bati line-up during the 2008 RLWC had eight local players where they reached the semifinal.

Naleba highlighted the FNRL’s intentions of holding frequent development work­shops and clinics for their coaches, match and technical officials.

“This is part of the efforts in closing the development and experiment gap that ex­ists between players in the National Rugby League (NRL) competition and the ones playing in the local competitions.

“Our aim is to have if not 50 percent than more local players in the Fiji Bati squad we want them to dominate the squad make-up.”

FNRL is currently implementing their KALAWA development programme, build­ing up to the 2021 RLWC.

Edited by Leone Cabenatabua

Feedback: peni.komaisavai@fijisun.com.fj

WAISEA NASOKIA, NADI

The Esala Nauga coached- Tuva Highlanders are tipped to beat Conua Chief in Sat­urday’s Nadroga Rugby Union’s Super 8 franchise competition at Lawaqa Park, Sigatoka.

Highlanders won their pool open­er against Sigatoka Bulls while Chiefs bowed out 20-17 to Noko­noko-Waicoba Crusaders.

Highlanders fielded Fiji Airways Flying Fijians hooker Ratunaisa Navuma, winger Aisea Natoga, Ti­moci Sauvoli, Jiuta Lutumailagi, Josefa Nahalo, Sanaila Nahuto, Ti­moci Sovilea and Tuiba Batiratu.

At the end of the first round NRU president, Tiko Matawalu said the competition had served its pur­pose as the players have lifted their game.

SPONSORS

He indicated that they are grateful to their sponsors Sigatoka Electric, Flying Fin, BLK and the Ministry of Health for making things hap­pen.

There are two pools of four teams, at the end of round three, the con­ference winners will playoff in the semifinals with the final expected to be played in round five.

The second round of competition gets underway at Lawaqa Park, Si­gatoka.

The admission is $5 for adults and $3 for children Under-12.

FIXTURES

10am Conua Chiefs v Tuva High­landers; 11.30am Sigatoka Bulls v Nokonoko-Waicoba Crusaders; 1pm Noinabua Hurricanes v Malo­malo Sharks, 2.30pm Wai Stormers v Cuvu Blues.