Fiji Bati interim head coach Wise Kativerata says they will be ready to take on New Zealand in the quarter-finals of the Rugby League World Cup.
Fiji brushed aside a fiery Scotland side 30-8 at Kingston Park in Newcastle yesterday.
The Bati tries came from Maika Sivo, Viliame Kikau, Taniela Sadrugu, Henry Raiwalui and Korbin Sims to Scotland’s three. The side lead 18-8 at half-time.
“We know we’ve got the team to play New Zealand.
“We will be back training on Monday and switch back on and prepare towards New Zealand,” Kativerata said.
“We’ve got a lot of outside on us.
“If you look at our squad, we’ve got the youngest team.
“Most of our players who are 18 years to 23. When our energy kicks in, our game goes up.”
He said the team needed to be tested in the lead up to the quarter-finals to help work on their defence. The game against Scotland provided the perfect hit out for the Bati, staying in the match every time the Fijians scored.
“We were able to look at both sides of our game – our attack and defence and we needed that,” Kativerata said. Man of the match Sunia Turuva commended both teams for their performances.
“Scotland was fiery out there,” he said.
“For us we’ve just got to find the right balance between aggression and also trying to keep a cool head. It is what it is, both teams came out firing which was good,” the Bati fullback said.
Fiji takes on New Zealand on Sunday (Fiji time) in Hull. Fiji last beat the Kiwis in the 2017 RLWC quarters at Wellington 4-2.
