AFTER pushing the defending champions to the wire giving in a thrilling match last week in Brisbane, the Vodafone Fiji Bati shift the focus to their do-or-die clash against the New Zealand Kiwis this Saturday.
Despite going down 22-36 head coach Mick Potter was pleased with his side’s courageous effort against the world champions, but the onus now is to build on that positive performance against the Kiwi’s and keep their play-offs ambition alive.
“They showed courage, they showed they can play footy and we’re still in it,” he said.
“And we’ve got New Zealand coming up and that will be a massive challenge and I’m sure the players even with a short turnaround will be ready for it.”
With the odds stacked heavily against the Bati at the start of the tournament, captain Api Koroisau said the team was confident in what they are capable of and their performance against Australia is testament to that confidence.
“We showed that in how we played especially in that first half and what we were willing to do for the jersey and that belief has only grown going into this game against New Zealand,” he said.
“At the end of the day the result will be the result, but the belief is there that we go out there and do a job and leave it all on the field.”
After Fiji’s inspirational performance against Australia last week Bati fans have found a renewed sense of hope and another Rugby League World Cup semi-final berth could be in the midst for the Fiji Bati.
The Fiji Bati will take New Zealand in the pool decider at 4.30pm on Saturday in Gold Coast, Australia.
Meanwhile, the Fiji Bulikula plays France in their last pool match at 2.35pm on Saturday.
