Must Win: Naiqama
Vodafone Fijian Bati captain Kevin Naiqama wants a winning start in tonight’s Rugby League World Cup opener against the United States of America. Speaking during a press conference in Townsville Stadium, Australia yesterday Naiqama said to beat USA has been their focus.
“We don’t want to play catching up after that,” he said.
Naiqama indicated that they are proud to be given the opportunity to represent their country at the World Cup.
When asked on why they always sing a hymn before kick-off, Naiqama says, they always bank on divine intervention and not rely on their own strength or wisdom.
“That’s who we are. That’s why we travel with a pastor all the time. We sing at the start of our day and also at the end before we go to bed. We hold our daily devotions and it brings us together and we always build-up from there. This has been done by players before us.”
Playing in the World Cup, Naiqama says, is the pinnacle of their rugby league career.
“It’s a great opportunity for us and we will try to make the most of it.”
He said the team have grown from the last three weeks they’ve trained together.
“Actually there is always work to do but from our first training run we’ve come together and executing much better. The whole 17 players have come together as one.”
Naiqama said the young players in the side have also improved.
“They came in with their skills and were excited as well but we’ve worked together in moving forward,” he added.