JOE Rabele fondly recalls how it felt to don the white jumper of the Fiji Bati when the side made its debut at the 1995 Rugby League World Cup in England and Wales.
It had come a long way since he and other former rugby union players switched codes in 1992 and now the team was rubbing shoulders with the rest of the world in the tournament’s 11th edition.
Rabele says being selected for the World Cup that year was a huge blessing for him.
“For me, it is a big achievement for any players that play in any club – soccer, rugby, rugby league or netball,” Rabele said.
“It is a big blessing for us to represent our country, especially on the world stage.”
Fiji’s debut campaign at the World Cup was a difficult one however the players held their heads high as they continued onward to become the pioneers of a national side whose greatest players came from near and far to heed the nation’s call.
He says 31 years later, things have changed however the resolve to produce and commit to the best has always remained the same.
“As a player, you play so hard that you give 110 per cent to play for your country,” he emphasised.
In the 1995 RLWC held in October that year, Fiji was pooled in Group A with England, Australia and South Africa.
Fiji opened their debut campaign with salvos firing and no punches pulled when they thrashed South Africa 52-6.
Waisale Sovatabua and Fili Seru scored two tries each, added further by speedster Noa Nadruku, Savenaca Taga, Ian Sagaitu, Samuela Marayawa, Kaleveti Naisoro and Rabele.
Noa Nayacakalou and Taga added three goals each to the scoresheet.
When they met England on October 11 for their second pool contest, they were dealt a resounding 0-46 loss.
Australia rubbed further salt on the wound with 66-0 thrashing three days later, and eventually bagged their eighth RLWC title in the end.
Meanwhile, being selected to become a pioneer Fiji Bati was a profound moment for Rabele, a young man then who understood how much it meant to don the white jumper in a sport he turned to three years before.
“I have played rugby all my life, before I went to Australia, before I switched to rugby league in 1992 and to be selected in the 1995 World Cup was a big milestone.”
And as the 2026 World Cup nears with only 11 days left, Rabele’s words may ring true for the current group of men who will earn Vodafone Fiji Bati head coach Mick Potter’s nod to join the ranks of his 23-member squad in Australia.
Joe Rabele.
Picture: FILE
