Turuva Gets Nod for Centre Against Cooks Aitu
Storm big man Tui Kamikamica takes over as captain from Kevin Naiqama while experienced Rabbitoh Taane Milne lines up for his 11th Test in the back row while Ipswich Jets prop Gordon Whippy makes his debut.
Tuesday 17 October 2023 | 23:51
Dally M rookie of the year Sunia Turuva will play centre with experienced duo Maika Sivo and Mikaele Ravalawa on the wings for the Fiji Bati when the side locks horn with the Cook Islands Aitu this Sunday.
Fiji Bati and the Bulikula (women) teams are part of the inaugural Pacific Championships now staged in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.
Accorindg to NRL.com Fijians Wests Tigers young gun Jahream Bula makes his Test debut at fullback with his club teammate Brandon Wakeham in the No.7 in his eighth Test for the Bati.
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Storm big man Tui Kamikamica takes over as captain from Kevin Naiqama while experienced Rabbitoh Taane Milne lines up for his 11th Test in the back row while Ipswich Jets prop Gordon Whippy makes his debut.
The other two in the backs are Waqa Blake and Kurt Donoghoe.
Completing the first set of six in the forwards are Noah Nailagiliva, Kitione Kautoga and Caleb Navale.
On the interchange are Penione Tagituimua, Apisalome Saukuru, Watson Waqanisaravi and Sirilo Lovokuro. On the reserve is Pio Seci.
Meanwhile Fiji Bulikula assistant coach Shane Morris said their taking part in the inaugural Pacific Championships is step one towards making the next World Cup.
Fetu Samoa kicked off a new era under the coaching of Jamie Soward in style on Sunday, holding off a strong finish from Fiji Bulikula to record a 26-12 victory on Sunday.
The match, which was played on an afternoon in which temperatures reached 30°C at the Santos National Football Stadium Port Moresby, ended a four-year wait between games for Fiji and was Samoa’s first outing since 2020.
“But also in attack, we’re staying connected; but also we know our job and our role. If we can work on those things we’re going to put in a good strong effort,” Morris said.
“And that’s our building base for the World Cup.”
Pacific Championships schedule: Saturday, October 21 at Eden Park, Auckland - New Zealand v Tonga (women) at 1.45pm, New Zealand v Toa Samoa (men) at 4pm. Sunday, October 22 at Santos National Football Stadium, Port Moresby - PNG v Cook Islands (women) at 1.45pm, Fiji v Cook Islands (men) at 4pm. Saturday, October 28 at AAMI Park, Melbourne - Australia v New Zealand (women) at 6pm, Australia v New Zealand (men) at 8pm. Sunday, October 29 at Santos National Football Stadium, Port Moresby - PNG v Fiji (men) at 4pm. Saturday, November 4 at FMG Stadium, Hamilton Men’s Pacific Cup final - Sunday, November 5 at Santos National Football Stadium, Port Moresby, Men’s Pacific Bowl final. *Note: No final for women’s Pacific Cup or Pacific Bowl competitions.
Feedback: karalaini.waqanidrola@fijisun.com.fj
