By Richard Cowley, Date: 14/10/12
Fiji continued with their preparations for next years World Cup with a narrow victory over Italy on Friday night at St Marys RLC ground in Penrith, Australia. With the scores locked at 10 all at half time the Fijian’s came out in the second half and clinched the match 22 – 18.
The Fijian side was made up of players who recently played in the Battle of the Bati clash between Fiji Residents and New South Wales Country Fijians along with other Australian based Fijian players. The Fijian’s preparation continues along the same lines as their preparation for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup which saw the Bati make it through to the semi final of the World Cup.
Fiji’s coach Rick Stone will have a big pool of players to call on come World Cup time. It’s expected that NRL and Super League players with Fijian heritage will put their hand up for Bati selection as the World Cup draws closer.
The Fijian’s will have a mountain to clime come World Cup time. Fiji has been drawn in “Group A” long with Australia, England and Ireland. The only advantage of being in Group A will be that the Fijian’s just need to defeat Ireland first up to advance through to the quarter-finals of the competition.
GROUP A (Fiji’s World Cup Draw)
2013 Oct 28th (Monday), Fiji v Ireland, Location – Spotland Stadium, Rochdale, England
2013 Nov 2nd (Saturday), Australia v Fiji, Location – Langtree Park, St Helens, England
2013 Nov 9th (Saturday), England v Fiji, Location – KC Stadium, Hull, England
