All eyes are on the Vodafone Fiji Bati when they take on the Cook Islands Aitu tonight, as a win over the Cooks would place the Bati back on track in their hopes of qualifying for the 2026 Rugby League World Cup.
The Bati’s progression to World Cup qualification was derailed last Saturday, when the Papua New Guinea Kumuls inflicted a 22-10 win over them in front of a packed home crowd at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva.
While the Bati’s chances of revitalising their World Cup prospects remain possible, head coach Wise Kativerata describes tonight’s clash as a crucial one.
“It’s important, very important (the game), not only to the Bati but to the Fiji Rugby League as we are building towards the World Cup,” Kativerata stated.
Reflecting on last week’s loss to the Kumuls, he emphasised the points difference in their clash against the Kumuls was not the critical factor.
“Last week a lot of people looked at the score, they didn’t look at the fundamental points that we needed to work on.”
The fundamental points, such as their intercepts for instance, are what Kativerata says were areas the Kumuls capitalised on in last week’s match.
Meanwhile, as the Cooks prepare to meet the Bati as well and regardless of the outcome of tonight’s match, the Bati have a chance at qualifying for the RLWC if the Cooks defeat the Kumuls in Port Moresby next month.
The Bati meet the Cooks at 8.10pm, at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva.
