Rabele Sets Up Players For Long Run
Our spines (halves and firsts) are key to a good 2022 Rugby League World Cup outing says Fiji Bati head coach Joe Rabele.
Saturday 09 July 2022 | 15:15
Vodafone Fiji Bati’s Sunia Turuva on attack against Papua New Guinea during their PacificTest match in Syney on June 27, 2022.
Our spines (halves and firsts) are key to a good 2022 Rugby League World Cup outing says Fiji Bati head coach Joe Rabele.
According to Rabele, the halves now in the squad have added depth.
Rabele said that he will continue to work with young Netane Masima (Western Suburb Magpies), Brandon Wakeham (Canterbury Bulldogs), Sitiveni Moceidreke (London Broncos) and Joe Lovodua (Hull FC), Api Koroisau (Penrith Panthers) and Penioni Tagituimua.
He said that he has a good set of players.
“Wakeham was supposed to play in the Pacific test but he was on suspension,” Rabele said.
“We will have to work with the spine that we have.
“We have Netane (Masima) in England, Sitiveni (Moceidreke) and Joe (Lovodua) who plays six.
“Netane covers both six and nine but if you look at our dummy halves we have Api Koroisau, Lovodua, Penioni Tagituimua.
“During the June Test we struggled in that area. It’s good to find that out, we now have the depth for the World Cup.
According to Rabele Tagituimua is a surprise addition in the team.
“He (Tuitagimua) played a great game against Papua New Guinea and if you see the international team of the week he is also with Sunia Turuva.
“Turuva was another player who stood out in that game, it was the first time for people to watch him play.
“I’ve always heard about him but to see him play was good, he really impressed me; a different class all together.”
Meanwhile Rabele said Jarryd Hayne has to play to get considered for selection.
He made the comments after some Australian media sprung the possibility Hayne joining a United Kingdom club.
“It’s surprising to hear that Jarryd Hayne is close to signing for a UK club.
“We will wait and see how Hayne plays, it depends when he plays.
“We want to watch him play then we can consider him for the 2023 Fiji Bati team.
“The door is open for him but we will want to watch him play first before we can make a decision.
“Right now we are looking ahead and preparing for the 2025 Rugby League World Cup.”
Feedback: simione.haravanua@fijisun.com.fj
