A silver lining has emerged at the end of a long tunnel for Vodafone Fiji Bati winger Ronald Philitoga, as he makes his debut in the starting 13 against the Papua New Guinea Kumuls today.
The 24-year-old Moala, Lau native who plays for the Wynnum-Manly Seagulls in Australia answered the call-up for the Bati in their round three match in the Pacific Bowl, as part of the NRL Pacific Championship.
Philitoga starts as left wing today to fill in for Jethro Rinakama who sustained a shoulder injury.
The silver lining for the debutant comes after a prolonged period of time, he was part of the Bati in last year’s competition that was held in Suva, however, did not make an appearance on the field or named in match-day lists.
This time, Philitoga will step up to prove his agility and speed, especially against a determined home side that has always had the upper hand over the Bati in previous meetings.
While he was born in Sydney, Australia, his passion for the game of rugby league sprung when he switched from rugby union at 14-years-old.
Year after year, his passion for the game bloomed and so too the underlying desire he harboured to one day don the white jumper of his island home that was only a four-hour flight away from Sydney.
And last year, when he did so, he told Times Sport then how it felt special to do so in what he added was a full-circle moment for him.
This time, far from Fiji and in the heat of a passionate PNG rugby league audience, the stakes are high as he will run on to the field to make his debut.
Philitoga will be guided by the veterans of the team including caotain Ta’ane Milne and Tui Kamikamica, along with young stars Sunia Turuva and Semi Valemei.
The Fiji Bati will face the Kumuls at 5pm, at the Santos National Football Stadium in Port Moresby.
