The Fiji National Rugby League has outlined a plan to activate a high performance squad in the East and West which will give the local resident players a chance to strive for a spot in the Fiji Bati team for the postponed 2021 Rugby League World Cup next year.
The 2021 RLWC was postponed after powerhouse nations Australia and New Zealand pulled out of the event scheduled from October 23 to November 27, this year, citing the COVID-19 pandemic.
Earlier this month Fiji Bati head coach Jo Rabele announced a revised 41-member national training squad which included 14 players from the Kaiviti Silktails.
FNRL acting chief executive officer Don Natabe said after the postponement of the RLWC, Rabele outlined a plan to activate two high performance squads. Natabe said they were looking to engage local coaches.
“We will be talking to the clubs this week, so they can promote solo programs before the start of the off-season program in November,” Natabe said.
“Basically from November onwards we would like to see our local clubs activating their off-season training programs. “Hopefully the restrictions will be eased by then after people have had their second jabs.”
Meanwhile, the Fiji National Rugby League is investigating the alleged missing of one of the Kaiviti Silktails players in Australia. The FNRL said it would comment soon.
