He is the general of the Fiji Bati team and at 23 years old, Brandon Wakeham hopes to bring everything to the table when they face the world No.1 ranked New Zealand during the quarter-finals of the Rugby League World Cup in the UK.
The match will be held at 7am on Sunday (Fiji time) at the MKM Stadium in Hull.
Known as ‘Wakey’ to teammates, the former Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs five-eighth will play a pivotal role in running the show for Fiji.
That is why this weekend’s knock-out match will be special for Wakeham, just like the past six test matches he has played for the Bati.
“It means a lot to represent my dad’s side,” he said.
“Hearing stories from families of how he came from Fiji; that every time I wear the Fiji jumper it’s always special for me. Not many people believed in us but we believe in each other. I believe we can go on to win the world cup and we can prove that in the coming games.”
He said the players had fitted in well into the positions and working on combinations was one area he hoped to improve before the weekend.
“Just to get more connections with the guys around me. Talking to the boys more because they like to play free-flowing footy all the time. Probably kicking as well.”
Wakeham added the team’s devotions was an area that connected well with the players.
“All the boys coming together and singing hymns. Hearing the testimonies and the players’ stories – listening to the boys get vulnerable in front of each other is always hard. But I think everyone respects each other for it and it brings the boys together.”
Wakeham has scored 24 points at the world cup, all coming from his deft boot.
In camp with ‘Wakey’
What’s your nickname in camp?
Just ‘Wakey’. It’s from my last name and it’ll be easier to say than Brandon. Wakey’s easy.
Who’s your roommate and describe him?
Isaac Lumelume is my roommate and he’s a very scary man. But he would have to be the better looking out of us.
Do you have any pre-match rituals?
No, I just relax before a game. I have a laugh with the boys and try not to be too serious before a game.
Who’s the talkative one in camp and why?
It would have to be ‘Tito’ Sunia Turuva. He’s always loud and marking around with the boys in camp.
What’s your advice to young players who want to be a Bati one day?
Just keep training hard and listen to your family, your parents.
What Fijian words have you learned?
The boys have been teaching me a bit, but I’m not too good.
