The Junior Bati Academy and the Fiji Airways Kaiviti Silktails match ended in a 4-all draw.
The clash was supposed to be played at Churchill Park in Lautoka as a curtain raiser to the NRL trial match between the Melbourne Storm and the Newcastle Knights. However, it was moved to Nadovu Park for technical reasons.
Junior Bati forward Driu Nabose said it would’ve been a different story if they played at Churchill Park.
“We didn’t really play well against the Silktails but the opportunity to face them was great. It ended with a draw and we’ll take the result,” he said.
“We were looking forward to play at Churchill Park, this match was supposed to be a curtain raiser to the NRL match but things didn’t go our way. We were all excited, it would’ve meant a lot to us because we would have eyes watching and gauging out performance.
“Regardless we are glad to be here to witness this historic match. We grew up watching these players on television so to be here watching them at our ground is special.”
Nabose is a huge fan of Knights fullback Kalyn Ponga. “He is my idol, my favorite player in the NRL. I’m so blessed and happy to watch him in person.”
The Junior Bati Academy team is coached by Fiji Bati mentor Wise Kativerata.
