RISING STARS OF RUGBY LEAGUE
Fiji Bati future prospects set to light up rugby league competitions
WITH the Rugby League World Cup next year, youngsters around Fiji and the globe will also want to one day be part of a Fiji Bati team to participate in an event.
Whether they will be snatched by other countries or play for the Fiji Bati, their continuous participation in the sport needs to be consistent and a closer look as they progress.
NRL clubs have roped in players with Fijian backgrounds who could be part of the Kalawa program.
These are some players who could make their name in the future.
1. Sunia Turuva (Patrician Brothers Blacktown)
He played as a centre and scored the match-sealing try to give his side a 22-16 win over Westfields Sports High in the Southern Conference final of the NRL Schoolboy Cup last month.
He can play at fullback. NRL. com reported with his side ahead by just two points inside the final four minutes of the match at Leichhardt Oval, Turuva did it all himself. He got back up off the ground at one stage before crossing for the decisive four-pointer. Prior to Turuva’s heroics, a strong display by the Blacktown school’s forward pack set the platform. The win was the school’s eighth NSW/Southern Conference title.
In the SG Ball Cup 2020 he scored four tries. He was man of the match in this year’s NRL Schoolboy Cup NSW final. Can turn a game on its head - just like his first cousin, Api Koroisau. Played his junior rep footy for the Panthers and could end up joining the NRL boys for pre-season.
Was also a hero off the field when he dragged his mother and four brothers out of a house fire during the year.
2. Junior Ratuva (Westfields Sports High)
It wouldn’t be a lot of fun trying to tackle this bloke. Stands 196cm, weighs 110kg and plays on the wing. A rugby schoolboy hot shot before he had a year with the Melbourne Storm, The Daily Telegraph reported. Spent 2020 recovering from leg stress fractures and has now tore a pectoral. Might not get his shot before the back end of 2021 but, when fit, he could be anything.
The giant winger has been signed by the Vodafone Warriors until the end of the 2022 NRL season. He played for the Westfields Sports High this year. His team was in the final but fell short to win the title. During the final against Patrician Brothers Blacktown Saukuru charged over less than five minutes after play resumed. The warriors.kiwi reported after an outstanding schoolboy rugby union career, the 1.96cm, 110kg flyer spent time in the Melbourne Storm’s system in 2018 making an immediate impression as a prolific try scorer. Highlights reels show the Fijian tearing defences apart with his combination of power, pace and ball-playing skills when he was with the Victorian Thunderbolts in the Queensland under-20 competition. He was born on February 15, 1999 in Fiji. Played for the King’s College (rugby union), Melbourne Storm as a winger. Stands at 196cm and weighing 10kg and previously playing for the Melbourne Storm.
3. Joshua Mocevakaca (Hills Sports High)
Formidable athlete who scored four tries in this year’s Schoolboy Cup, warren.rabbitohs.net reported. The outside back will play SG Ball for the Rabbitohs in 2021.
4. Solomone, Apisalome Saukuru
The two towering brothers both stand about 193cm, and while they play front or backrow in the Bulldogs’ junior reps, at Westfields Solomone also plays fullback or centre. Apisalome attended Westfields Sports High. He is Westfields’ wrecking ball with great balance and agility. Played junior reps for the Bulldogs but has just signed a contract with the Wests Tigers. Preparing for his first NRL pre-season.
5. Ratu Isireli Tuvana Vesikula
A flying Fijian hooker who play SG Ball for Souths. Dynamic out of dummy half. He is described as the next Api Koroisau, could even be a little bit quicker. He plays hooker for the South Sydney Rabbitohs under-18 team.
6. Ashton Kolinisau
Named in the Canberra Raiders Junior for the SG Ball Cup next year.
7. Charlie Sorovi
Plays wing for the Bulldogs. He was named for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs Rugby League Club’s summer squads for the 2021 Harold Matthews and SG Ball Cup competitions.
8. Aporosa Kurucake
He played for the Sydney Roosters’ NSWRL under-18 UNE SG Ball Cup.
9. Livai Saukuru
He played centre for the Balmain Tigers under- 18 side.
10. Ponipate Toga
Played fullback for Balmain Tigers under- 18 side and scored two tries.
11. Phoenix Vetenibua-Finnerty
He plays second row for the Illawarra Steelers under- 18 side..
12. Kitione Kautoga
Kautoga plays prop for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks under18 side.
13. Lomi Saukuru
Saukuru played five games and scored a try for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs under- 18 side.
14. Epeli Lavaki
Plays for the South Sydney Rabbitohs under-18 team.
15. Epeli Sukanaivalu
Sukanaivalu plays second row for the St George Dragons under-18 side.
16. Caleb Navale
He plays for the St George Dragons under-18 side this year.
17. Livai Kaloutolu
Kaloutolu plays on the wing for the Canberra Raiders under-18 side.
18. Watisoni Bogiso
He is a future prospect playing for the Balmain Tigers under-18 side.
19. Noah Nailagoliva
Also a future prospect hooker for the Fiji Bati team. He plays for the Newcastle Knights U18 team.