Tigers ‘Beast’ Wants Oz
From Papua New Guinea, Noke dons PM’s XIII jumper for Friday’s thriller
The man who is dubbed the beast in Papua New Guinea after leading Lae Snax Tigers to win this year’s Digicel Cup Premiership title is ready to play for the Fijian Prime Minister’s XIII. Former Vodafone Fijian Bati powerhouse prop Tikiko Noke told
SUNsports on Saturday after their training run at the Uprising Sports Centre that he is ready to take on the Australian Prime Minister’s XIII at the ANZ Stadium, Suva, on Friday.
“I will not go back to Papua New Guinea as I want to play for the Fijian team in the Ron Massey NSW Cup competition next year,” he said.
At the age of 19, Noke after finishing off from Lautoka Central College, was named in the Fijian Bati team to the 2013 Rugby League World Cup in England.
He turned down the offer from Rochdale Hornets as he joined the Newcastle Knights Under-20 side. Noke played for Souths Logan Magpies, a feeder club to the Brisbane Broncos in the Queensland Cup competition.
He returned to Fiji and played for the Ravoravo Rabbitohs before he signed up with Tigers.
Bati head coach Brandon Costin said one of the few things that he had seen in Noke since been in camp is his passion and leadership. “He speaks out a lot when we are training. He provides direction for other players on the best possible ways for us to be successful next Friday.
“Noke is big and strong. He’s quick over the ground so he has been impressive on the training paddock.
“I really think he has something to prove against these Australian players so he’s preparing himself now.”
Costin said Noke’s ultimate dream is to represent the Fijian Bati again so he needs to get into a professional system full time.
“A few clubs are offering him that. There’s obviously an opportunity to prove himself at a higher level if his successful at that level it’s possible he could get an NRL contract. “I believe his pursuing his dream in rugby league but he is keen too to represent the Bati.
“He has been influential in camp. He has been one of my top most influential people.”