Type in the name Joshua Wong on any internet search engine and you will get great reviews of the Fiji Bati’s youngest player.
A youngster dubbed by a rugby league guru as “the next big thing.”
The 19-year-old was born in New Zealand and has ties to Nairai in Lomaiviti and Tonga.
He plays in the second row and made the starting line-up for the Bati against Australia and Italy in his international debut at the Rugby League World Cup this year.
Wong plays for the Sydney Roosters in the NRL and has been touted by Australian rugby league great Phil Gould as a future star of the game.
We asked Wong, who is also known as ‘Siua’ by teammates, to talk about what it meant to wear the Fiji Bati jumper.
This is what he said:
What’s you nickname?
“My nickname is Siua. It comes from my father’s side – he is of Fijian and Tongan descent. Siua is derived from my Tongan heritage.”
Who is your roommate in camp and describe him in two words?
“I’ve had a few roommates but the ‘most memorable’ one is Brandon Wakeham.
“Most memorable’ because he always likes to stay up late and he always keeps me up late at night. But the good thing about him is that he is a hard worker. Anytime we’re on the field he helps me become a better player.”
Who’s the better looking out of the two of you? “I think it’s obvious!”
Do you have any pre-match rituals?
“I always call my grandparents in New Zealand. My grandpa is Fijian and my grandma is Tongan.
Before a game I always call them and my grandpa always says a prayer. Growing up that’s what he used to do for me in my matches from the under-6 to where I am now. It’s been a ritual every time I play.”
Who’s the most talkative player in camp?
“Sunia Turuva. That boy, I don’t think there’s been one day where he’s just been quiet. He always has something to say.”
Advice to young players who want to be a Bati.
“Just like any goal you have in life, you’ve just got to work hard towards achieving it. Once you find that hunger and drive, you’ll be able to work hard and get to where you want to be – whether it’s the Bati team or the NRL, if you apply that rule, anything is possible.”
How are the players coming together as a group?
“It’s awesome. Being one of the youngest, the older boys have really taken me under their wing. Especially guys like (Viliame) Kikau; I’ve learned a lot from him since I play in the same position. Even guys like Apisai (Koroisau) who shows real leadership during training, as well as Kevin Naiqama.
I’m just so grateful to be here and thank God for the opportunity for me to train among some of the greats.”
What does it mean to you to wear the Bati jumper?
It means so much to me only because of how much it means to my family.
My dad was born in Fiji, he went to Queen Victoria School and my grandfather decided to take the risk to move to New Zealand.
Back then in the early 1990s it wasn’t so easy moving to New Zealand so they sacrificed so much to be where they are now and for me to be in this position right now.
Me putting on that jersey means a lot because I get to give back to them. It’s not that much but I know it means so much to them for me to play my heart out there wearing the Bati jersey.
What improvements can you bring to the game?
“The world cup experience is a different level from the football that I am used to playing, especially playing a lot in the New South Wales Cup in Australia.
I’m still developing with each game and I think improvements will come from just training and applying myself, it’s great having the older boys there to support me. I want to keep learning as the competition progresses and become a better person and player as well.”
