ROUGH-AND-TUMBLE Kurt Donoghoe has a softer side that comes to the fore when he speaks of his beloved late grandmother, who inspired his Rugby League World Cup journey with Fiji Bati.
The 24-year-old Dolphins dynamo will be one of the key men for the Bati in their tough pool that includes Australia, New Zealand and their round-one opponents Cook Islands.
When Donoghoe, who grew up in Newcastle, was a lad his nan Kim was a major supporter of his footy aspirations.
“She is very important to me and is the only reason I can play for Fiji, being my dad’s mum,” Donoghoe told AAP.
“She was a big part of my life during my whole childhood and took us back to Fiji to show us where she was raised when I was 12.
“That was a pretty cool experience to go over there and see where she grew up, in a little place called Ba.
“That moment was a bit of a life-changer and has stuck close to my heart ever since. I know who I am playing for when I run out for Fiji.”
The Bati are without big guns Tui Kamikamica, Viliame Kikau and Jahream Bula due to illness and injury, but Donoghoe said they would focus on who they do have.
“Jacob Safiti, it’s unreal to get him on board, and we have Api (Koroisau) and (Sunia) Turuva who have won comps in the NRL and are big-game players,” Donoghoe said.
“I think we’ve got great potential and we will give it a red-hot crack.”
A charismatic character, Donoghoe has endeared himself to fans for his toughness and flair.
Donoghoe, voted the RLPA best bench player of the year in 2026, was a five-eighth in Jersey Flegg at Newcastle and trained with the Dolphins in the halves early on, before an injury opened the door for him to play hooker on debut in the NRL in the club’s inaugural match in 2023. The Vodafone Fiji Bati takes on the Cook Islands at 5.05 pm on Sunday.
