MICK Potter has returned with unfinished business.
The coach who guided the Fiji Bati to a historic Rugby League World Cup semi-final in 2017 is back at the helm.
This time, he wants more than another successful campaign. He wants to transform rugby league in Fiji from the ground up.
Potter made his first public comments yesterday at the as the new Fiji Bati head coach after being endorsed by the Fiji National Rugby League board following an open recruitment process.
The veteran Australian said returning to Fiji was both an honour and an emotional moment.
“I’m honoured to be in this position. I’m grateful for the board of the Fiji National Rugby League to appoint me,” Potter said.
“It’s a thing that I’m pretty passionate about and I’m emotional about.”
While the countdown to the Rugby League World Cup has already begun, Potter said Fiji’s long-term future would be built away from the international spotlight.
He intends to spend time in communities, schools and clubs to strengthen the game’s foundations.
“I feel that Fiji Rugby League, in the last 10 years, we need to move forward,” he said.
“I think we’ve just stayed flat, and I really want to make a statement that I’m going to get out into the fields, get out into the community, into the schools, into the clubs, and really push rugby league.”
Potter believes Fiji has the talent to become one of the world’s elite rugby league nations.
“We want to be a Tier One nation in rugby league,” he said.
“We want to be one of the top four nations and I think we can do it.”
He admitted the journey would take time but said the goal was achievable with the right people driving the game.
Potter also acknowledged the volunteers and administrators who continue to keep the game alive across the country.
“There are so many lovely people out there that want to help rugby league and I’m very grateful to them and I can’t wait to get out there and work with them.”
FNRL executive chairman Rajesh Singh said Potter’s appointment followed a competitive selection process after the previous coach’s contract expired.
He backed Potter to recreate the success of his first stint, when Fiji recorded its famous victory over New Zealand before reaching the 2017 Rugby League World Cup semi-finals.
With just 77 days remaining before the Rugby League World Cup, Potter’s second chapter with the Fiji Bati has officially begun—this time with his sights set on building a legacy that extends well beyond the tournament.
