THE devastating loss of his younger brother Joe through an illness has inspired Peni Botiki to get back into top form and stake a claim for a second appearance at the Rugby League World Cup.
According to an article on the New Town Jets website, the club which Botiki represented , Joe a talented footballer was diagnosed with rheumatic fever and passed away in early February 2016 two weeks before a medical team of doctors from Brisbane and Melbourne were arranged by Rotary to travel to Fiji for his operation.
Botiki returned to rugby league this year after a one year stint with French Pro D2 club US Colomiers.
With the roster of most of the rugby league clubs in Australia filled by the end of the rugby union season in France, Botiki was given a lifeline by his 2013 Fiji Bati teammate James Storer to join the Port Kembla Blacks which participates in the South Coast Group Seven competition.
Storer coached and captained the Blacks this season. Botiki also overcame the emotional loss by seeking inspiration from fellow Fiji Bati teammate Daryl Millard who is set to take over the coaching reigns of the Blacks next season.
Botiki said he always got emotional when talking about the loss of his brother because they were very close.
“The season has been really good even though I got back to playing rugby league after a one year rugby union stint in France,” the 28-year-old said.
“Things have affected me because my brother passed away. He was very close to me. When I got back home I felt something missing.
“I came back late from France and James took me into the team. He has been there for me since I moved to Australia.
“And playing with a couple of Bati brothers has given me a lot of confidence.”
Botiki said securing a spot in the team for the upcoming World Cup would be tough with the many upcoming talents putting their hands up.
“I’m looking forward to trying to play in my second World Cup,” he said.
“To be honest there are heaps of young talents. For me in the last World Cup, it was pretty good. It was a massive learning experience. To play with the likes of Petero Civoniceva and the others was just great.
“I know what it is like to play in the World Cup. I have tasted it. I’m ready to fight for a position in the team like I did in 2013.
“The Battle of the Bati will be a tough test. There are a host of players pushing for spot in the Fiji Bati jumper.”
Botiki hails from Viseisei but grew up in Saru, Lautoka. He started his rugby league career with the Saru Dragons.
Botiki was named the Fiji National Rugby League player of the year in 2011 before taking up an offer with the Collegians in the Illawarra Rugby League competition in Australia.
