Costin: Good to be with Oz in Pool B
Coach believes the inclusion of more Fijian players in NRL clubs will boost the Bati’s preparation ahead of the World Cup
Vodafone Fijian Bati head coach Brandon Costin believes having Australia in the same pool at the 2021 Rugby League World Cup in England will be better for the team.
Fiji are in Pool B with defending RLWC champions Australia, Scotland and Italy.
“That’s one positive we can take from been in the same pool with Australia.
“We get to play them once in the pool rounds where we can learn some lessons on how to improve ourselves,” Costin said.
“I think that sort of lesson at the RLWC will be valuable come semifinal time.
“We don’t have much of a choice about who we play but if top two go through then it will be a good thing that we don’t meet Australia before the final.
“Our campaign and preparations for the 2021 RLWC is yet to be decided.
“It will be based upon the NRL 2021 season, what date the season finishes and when can we get access to our players and will probably have a pre-world camp in Fiji with our Bati squad.”
He added the inclusion of more Fijian players in NRL clubs will boost the Bati’s preparation ahead of the RLWC.
“The more players we have ready to play in the RLWC, the stronger our team will be. The more opportunities we can get for local players into NRL organizations the stronger the Bati will be.
“Having the Silktails boys training four weeks before Christmas gives them a good two- year before the RLWC.
“Everyone should be excited that the RLWC is coming around again we have started our preparation with our local boys in 2019.”
The draws for the RLWC was held at Buckingham Palace, London attended by Prince Harry.
Mens
Pool A– England, Samoa, Greece, France; Pool B: Fiji, Australia, Italy, Scotland; Pool C: NZ, Ireland, Jamaica, Lebanon; Pool D: Tonga, Cook Islands, PNG, Wales
Women
A- England, Brazil, Canada, PNG; B-Australia, Cook Islands, France, New Zealand
Wheelchair
A - Australia, England, Spain, Norway; B - France, Wales, Scotland, USA