THE Vodafone Fiji Bati’s quest for success at the 2026 Rugby League World Cup is a matter of “throwing that first punch”.
Front-rower Jacob Saifiti is familiar with this role and is banking on the “pretty inexperienced team” to do wonders when the dust settles in Brisbane.
The Fijian side, after its 40-12 win over the Cook Islands last Sunday, took them to the top of Pool A after Round 1 with the Kangaroos in second place and New Zealand third.
Saifiti’s last appearance for Fiji against Australia was in their 6-54 loss to them in the 2017 World Cup semi-final.
“It was good to be back in this jersey – it’s been about nine years – so it’s been a really good week,” said Saifiti.
On Sunday, Saifiti will return to lead his young forwards.
Last week, he broke a long drought in his eighth Test for Fiji to score his first try.
The veteran pack leader is optimistic the side will again turn up positively to play this weekend.
“Every semi-final, the grand finale, everyone wrote us off, but we kept turning up …,” he told NRL.com.
“Don’t get me wrong, I know we’re up against it, but in 2017 we beat New Zealand, so I’ve seen more unlikely things happen.
“I love testing myself against the best, and I think it brings the best out in me.
“It’s a beautiful challenge, these next two weeks, but it’s something I’m looking forward to. I’ve missed a fair chunk of footy this year through suspension and injury, we’ve got a pretty inexperienced team here, especially in the pack… so the boys are going to follow me.
“I’ll be out there throwing that first punch and I know the boys will follow me.”
The Kangaroos named a new-look outfit to face the Bati in Round 2.
Bati will take on the Kangaroos this Sunday at 9.05pm at the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.
