Vodafone Fiji Bati gave an unforgettable performance on Saturday at the HFC Bank Stadium, securing a commanding 56-6 win over the Cook Islands.
The victory, fuelled by discipline and determination, was a memorable experience for fans who braved heavy rain floods in the morning and road closures to show their support.
The coach praised his team’s resilience and focus on improvement, saying, “I said from last week, you know, if we reduce our errors and get to our kick, we’ll get to where we are today.”
For the coach, the journey goes beyond the scoreboard.
With the 2026 World Cup in sight, he emphasised the need to develop a system for local player growth, particularly in key decision-making positions.
“We need to look at what we need to build from this year to 2025, leading towards the World Cup,” he said.
“That’s the main reason why I took this job because we need to develop our local players.”
The crowd’s presence brought pride to the players, who credited the fans’ passion for lifting their spirits.
“To come off the footy field and see the fans still turn out in numbers — it’s truly inspiration for us players,” said one player.
“Like I said a couple of weeks ago, Fiji is very passionate about rugby. They showed up even in the rain, and that means everything to us.”
Beyond rugby, Fiji Bati finds strength in faith and family.
Regular devotions unite the players, fostering humility and respect.
“Faith, family, and footy are the three pillars for us,” said the coach.
“Through Him, through Christ, through Jesus, anything can happen. It’s important that we connect with both the family and the faith.”
For the coach and team, this commitment to their roots keeps them grounded, fuelling their journey as they represent Fiji with pride.
