VODAFONE Fiji Bati head coach Brandon Costin has set his eyes on Panthers forward Viliame Kikau and Parramatta Eels wing Maika Sivo to be part of the Fiji Bati Test team against Lebanon in October.
Costin said majority of his players for the Test would be overseas-based. “We’ve got local players who live overseas and play in the NRL,” Costin said.
“Viliame Kikau is an example of good players who were born in Fiji, left here when he was 16 years old to take up a contract in Sydney. We hope that Kikau will be a part of our squad to play Lebanon.
“We love to see young players such as Maika Sivo in the Test. He is a local player who made his way up to Australia to test himself and he secured a full-time contract with Parramatta.
“He has scored nine tries so far in past games and it will be a great story when he makes his debut for the Fiji Bati.”
Costin is looking forward to the Test in October.
He said he had a lot to work on with the players.
He was happy with last week’s performance against Tonga Residents in the Test series.
“The aim is to teach local players how to play professional rugby league because when or if we get a New South Wales Cup side based here in Fiji, these local players are going to play that style of top level rugby league. “Our focus was not really winning the games against Tonga, it was more about creating awareness and education on how to play high level rugby league.”
“The team grew and improved a lot. There are a lot of potential players. After teaching them the elite level, they now know the level of fitness that is required to play at that level.”
The Test will be on October 10 in Australia.
