Potter returns to coach Fiji Bati for World Cup

Former New South Wales fullback Mick Potter has a mammoth task the next four months.

He is tasked to head the Fiji Bati team to the Rugby League World Cup (RLWC) in October.

Fiji National Rugby League (FNRL) chairman Rajesh Singh confirmed yesterday.

“He has accepted the position,” Singh said.

“Our legal director is working on his contract now and hopefully; his legal contract is sent today (yesterday).”

Potter served as the Fiji Bati head coach in the 2017 RLWC where the team defeated New Zealand 4 – 2 for the first time in the quarterfinal at Wellington.

He also had a coaching role with National Rugby League (NRL) clubs including the Canterbury Bulldogs and the West Tigers.

Potter coached Catalan Dragons, St Helens and Bradford Bulls in the Super League competition.

“We are just trying to get his contract across so he can sign,” Singh said.

“Mick Potter had applied before for the position, but the past management overlooked all that.”

Singh added that the interview panel selected Potter as he was the best candidate for the job.

“I was not part of the panel and it’s his experience with the Fiji Bati is great,” he said.

“He knows the players and with his experience with NRL coaching made it easy for us to select him.”

The Fiji Bati team has four months to prepare for the World Cup.

“The pressure is a lot but like Potter has explained, he knows the players well, so it makes things easier for him,” Singh said.

“We are in the pool of death, and I’d like to ask the fans to fully support our new coach Potter.”

The Fiji Bati team is grouped in pool A alongside Australia, New Zealand and Cook Islands.

“We need to be united and give Potter our full support,” Singh said.

“We need the prayers of our nation to be behind our coach, the Bati and Bulikula team as well.”

The Bati team has reached the RLWC semi-finals three consecutive times in 2008, 2013 and 2017.

They failed to qualify for the semi-final in the 2022 world cup after they lost to New Zealand 24 – 18 in the quarterfinal at England.

The RLWC will be held in Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea respectively from October 15 to November 15.

All Fiji Bati matches will be hosted in Australia on October 18, 25 and 31st.

They will face Cook Islands and Australia in Newcastle and Brisbane respectively before taking on New Zealand

in Gold Coast.