Fiji national rugby league team

International rugby league football team

Fiji

Team information
Nickname| Fiji Bati
Governing body| Fiji National Rugby League
Region| Asia-Pacific
Head coach| Wise Kativerata
Captain| Tui Kamikamica
Most caps| Kevin Naiqama (25)
Top try-scorer| Akuila Uate (14)
Top point-scorer| Wes Naiqama (132)
Home stadium| National Stadium
IRL ranking| 7th
Uniforms

First colours

Team results
First international
Western Samoa 32–18 Fiji
(Apia, Samoa; 1992)
Biggest win
Fiji 72–6 Wales
(Townsville, Australia; 5 November 2017)
Biggest defeat
Australia 84–14 Fiji
(Marathon Stadium, Newcastle; 12 July 1994)
World Cup
Appearances| 5 (first time in 1995)
Best result|  Semifinals (2008, 2013, 2017)

The Fiji national rugby league team, nicknamed the Bati (pronounced [mˈbatʃi]), has been participating in international rugby league football since 1992. The team is controlled by the governing body for rugby league in Fiji, Fiji National Rugby League (FNRL), which is currently a member of the Asia-Pacific Rugby League Confederation (APRLC). Fiji have thrice reached the semi-finals of the Rugby League World Cup, in 2008, 2013 and 2017, and are currently ranked 6th in the International Rugby League's World Rankings. They are coached by Fijian Wise Kativerata, and their captain is Tui Kamikamica. The team will typically perform the hymn "Noqu Masu" before each match, singing in unison.[1]

## History

[edit]

### 1990s

[edit]

The game was introduced to Fiji only in 1992 but despite this there has been a long history of Fijian players making their mark in rugby league, most notably back in the 1960s when great players such as Joe Levula and Laitia Ravouvou joined Rochdale Hornets and became household names in the English competition.

Interest and participation in rugby league snowballed throughout Fiji, and as well as continued success in the Rugby League World Sevens, the Batis began playing full 13-aside games against international teams. By 1994, Fiji had hammered the Great Britain amateurs 40–8 and, captained by mighty front-rower James Pickering, beat France 20–12.

They had also produced their first rugby league superstar after winger Noa Nadruku joined Canberra Raiders and in 1993 became the top try-scorer in the Australian competition.

Fiji took part in their first World Cup in 1995 where, just as the 2000 World Cup, they had the misfortune to be placed in the same group as both England and Australia. But the Batis made a massive impression in their opening World Cup game in which they ran riot against South Africa, 52–6, and had the crowd on their feet at Keighley.

During the Super League war, Fiji, like most countries other countries, aligned itself with Super League. In search of international competition, the Australian Rugby League played a match against a "National Rugby League of Fiji" team in 1996. This match has been granted Test status by the ARL, but not by the Rugby League International Federation.

### 2000s

[edit]

Coached by Don Furner, Sr. and captained by Lote Tuqiri, Fiji competed in the 2000 World Cup but did not progress past the tournament's group stage.

The Fiji Bati qualified for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup held in Australia after finishing second in Pacific qualifying behind Tonga. Fiji's qualification campaign started with a thrilling 30–28 loss to Samoa before reversing the scoreline a few days later with a 30–28 win over the Tongans. Fiji won their final qualifying game against Cook Islands 40–4. Having qualified the Vodafone Fiji Bati team started their Rugby League World Cup 2008 campaign with 42–6 win over France followed by a 2-point defeat to Scotland, however they topped their group with a superior points difference. Beating Ireland in their quarter final they came within one match of the World Cup final, but were defeated by Australia, ending the tournament in 4th place.

### 2010s

[edit]

Fiji vs Samoa at the 2013 Rugby League World Cup

Fiji automatically qualified for the 2013 Rugby League World Cup after participating in the 2008 tournament. They took on Australia, England and Ireland in the pool stage. In their first match they took on 'the Wolfhounds'. They played at the famous Spotland Stadium, in Rochdale, where Fiji have an historic affiliation with. The Fijians convincingly won by a score of 32–14. As expected Fiji lost to both Australia and England, although they surprised many, as they only conceded 34 points against the teams in each game and they led 2–0 against Australia, and were within a few minutes of taking a half-time lead against England. Fiji would take on 'fierce Pacific rivals' Samoa in the quarter-final. They won the, passionate pacific, fixture and they would celebrate with a 22–4 victory. They celebrated even more, as it meant Fiji reached their second consecutive World Cup semi-final. They took on Australia again, but this game was nothing like the group stage fixture. Fiji's errors conceded them 62 points against a classy Australian side. This defeat ended and equalled their best World Cup campaign in their history.

In May 2014, Fiji took on Samoa in the 2014 Pacific Rugby League Test at Penrith Stadium. The International was created as a qualifier for the final 2014 Four Nations spot. It was also a chance for the Four Nations team (winner of this international) to warm-up before the event kicked off later in the year. Fiji failed to qualify with their fierce pacific rivals getting the better of them by 32–16.

In May 2015, Fiji took on Papua New Guinea in the 2015 Melanesian Cup test at Cbus Super Stadium. Fiji won the match and the inaugural Melanesian Cup title.[2] Fiji never looked like losing the match after an easy first half performance, leading 18-0 at the break. They went on to win the test match by 22–10.

In May 2016, Fiji took on Papua New Guinea in the 2016 Melanesian Cup test at Pirtek Stadium. Fiji had a similar situation in this year's Melanesian Cup with a half-time score of 16–8 but this time around they conceded too many second half points allowing the Kumuls to make a shock comeback and win the match 24–22.

In the 2017 Rugby League World Cup in New Zealand & Australia, Fiji topped Group D before recording their biggest upset victory, defeating New Zealand 4–2 in the quarter-finals. They then lost to Australia 54–6 in the semi-finals.

### 2020s

[edit]

Fiji automatically qualified for the 2021 Rugby League World Cup having reached the semi-finals of the previous Rugby League World Cup. The 2021 tournament will take place in England.

## Kit

[edit]

Primary

1992–1995

1995 World Cup

2008 World Cup

|
|
|

## Players

[edit]

Further information: Category:Fiji national rugby league team players

### Current squad

[edit]

The squad selected for the 2024 Pacific Championships was announced on 8 October 2024.[3][4]

Statistics in the table are drawn from the website, Rugby League Project, and include the NRL Grand Final on 6 October 2024.

J#  | Player  | Age  | Position(s)  | Fiji Bati  | Club

|
|
|
|
|

Dbt | M | T | G | F | P
1 | Sunia Turuva | 22 | Fullback, Wing | 2022 | 8 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 20 |  Penrith Panthers
2 | Maika Sivo | 31 | Wing | 2019 | 12 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 48 |  Parramatta Eels
3 | Michael Jennings | 36 | Centre | 2024 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 12 |  Sydney Roosters
4 | Waqa Blake | 30 | Centre, Wing | 2017 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 12 |  St Helens
5 | Semi Valemei | 25 | Wing | 2022 | 8 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 16 |  North Queensland Cowboys
6 | Kevin Naiqama | 35 | Five-eighth, Centre | 2009 | 27 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 42 |  Huddersfield Giants
7 | Kurt Donoghoe | 22 | Halfback, Lock | 2023 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 8 |  Dolphins
8 | Tui Kamikamica | 30 | Prop | 2016 | 22 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 12 |  Melbourne Storm
9 | James Valevatu | 23 | Hooker, Halfback | 2024 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |  Wests Tigers
10 | Ben Nakubuwai | 28 | Prop, Second-row | 2016 | 16 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 20 |  Leigh Leopards
11 | Viliame Kikau | 29 | Second-row, Prop | 2015 | 18 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 44 |  Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
12 | Taane Milne | 29 | Second-row, Centre | 2017 | 15 | 4 | 16 | 0 | 48 |  South Sydney Rabbitohs
13 | Caleb Navale | 21 | Lock, Second-row | 2023 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 |  Manly Warringah Sea Eagles
14 | Penioni Tagituimua | 25 | Hooker | 2019 | 14 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 8 |  Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
15 | Kitione Kautoga | 22 | Second-row | 2023 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 |  Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
16 | Kylan Mafoa | — | Prop | 2024 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |  Manly Warringah Sea Eagles
17 | Jordan Miller | 19 | Prop | 2024 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |  Wests Tigers
18 | Jethro Rinakama | — | Wing | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |  Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
19 | Ronald Philitoga | 23 | Wing | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |  Brisbane Tigers
20 | Nathan Kegg-Smith | 23 | Lock | 2024 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |  Brisbane Tigers
21 | Joe Lovodua | 26 | Five-eighth | 2017 | 9 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 12 |  Doncaster
– | Bayleigh Bentley-Hape | 24 | Fullback | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |  South Sydney Rabbitohs

Notes:

* Age is as at the last update, 26 October 2024 (after the game against Cook Islands).
* Waqa Blake has previously played for City Origin.
* Penioni Tagituimua played for the Fiji Prime Minister's XIII in 2019.
* Clubs outside the NRL and Super League are shaded in the above table.

## Records

[edit]

* Bold\- denotes that the player is still active.

### Most capped players

[edit]

#  | Name  | Career  | Caps

|
|
|

1  | Kevin Naiqama | 2009-2022  | 25
2  | Akuila Uate | 2006-2018  | 18
3  | Apisai Koroisau | 2013-2022  | 17
Tui Kamikamica | 2016-2022  | 17
Eloni Vunakece | 2007-2018  | 17
6  | Viliame Kikau | 2015-2022  | 16
Junior Roqica | 2011-2019  | 16
8  | Ashton Sims | 2008-2017  | 15
9  | Wes Naiqama | 2006-2014  | 14
James Storer | 2008-2017  | 14
Ben Nakubuwai | 2016-2022  | 14

### Top try scorers

[edit]

#  | Name  | Career  | Tries

|
|
|

1  | Akuila Uate | 2006-2018  | 14
2  | Suliasi Vunivalu | 2017-2019  | 12
3  | Viliame Kikau | 2015-2022  | 11
4  | Kevin Naiqama | 2009-2022  | 10
5  | Jarryd Hayne | 2008, 2017-2018  | 8

### Top points scorers

[edit]

#  | Name  | Career  | Points  | Tries  | Goals  | Field Goals

|
|
|
|
|
|

1  | Wes Naiqama | 2006-2014  | 132  | 7  | 52  | 0
2  | Brandon Wakeham | 2019-2022  | 66  | 1  | 31  | 0
3  | Akuila Uate | 2006-2018  | 56  | 14  | 0  | 0
4  | Suliasi Vunivalu | 2017-2019  | 50  | 12  | 1  | 0
5  | Apisai Koroisau | 2013-2022  | 46  | 1  | 21  | 0

## Competitive record

[edit]

Main article: List of Fiji national rugby league team results

The table below shows Fiji's all-time international rugby league record as of 21 October 2024.[5] They have been participating in International fixtures since 1992.[6]

Country  | Matches  | Won  | Drawn  | Lost  | Win %  | For  | Aga  | Diff

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

American Samoa | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100% | 16 | 14 | +2
Australia | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0% | 24 | 378 | –354
Australian Aboriginies | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100% | 21 | 20 | +1
Canada | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100% | 26 | 12 | +14
Cook Islands | 13 | 7 | 1 | 5 | 53.85% | 349 | 219 | +130
England | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0% | 22 | 196 | –174
England Knights | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100% | 44 | 8 | +36
France | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 100% | 62 | 18 | +44
Great Britain | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0% | 4 | 72 | –68
Ireland | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 100% | 62 | 28 | +34
Italy | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 100% | 98 | 14 | +84
Lebanon | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 50% | 118 | 118 | 0
Māori | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0% | 12 | 32 | –20
New Zealand | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 50% | 22 | 26 | -4
New Zealand Residents | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100% | 34 | 16 | +18
Niue | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 50% | 34 | 38 | –4
Papua New Guinea | 16 | 5 | 0 | 11 | 31.25% | 261 | 375 | –114
Rotuma | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100% | 32 | 12 | +20
Russia | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100% | 38 | 12 | +26
Samoa | 12 | 8 | 0 | 4 | 66.67% | 274 | 184 | +90
Scotland | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 50% | 46 | 32 | +14
South Africa | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100% | 52 | 6 | +46
Tonga | 13 | 5 | 1 | 7 | 38.46% | 221 | 296 | –75
United States | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100% | 58 | 12 | +46
Wales | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100% | 72 | 6 | +66
Total | 93 | 46 | 2 | 45 | 49.46% | 2,002 | 2,144 | –142

### Rugby League World Cup

[edit]

Further information: Fiji at the Rugby League World Cup

World Cup record

Year  | Round  | Position  | GP  | W  | L  | D
1995 | Group stage | 6/10 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0
2000 | Group stage | 12/16 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0
2008 | Semi-finals | 4/10 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0
2013 | Semi-finals | 4/14 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 0
2017 | Semi-finals | 4/14 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0
2021 | Quarter-Finals | 6/16 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0
2026 | qualified
Total | 0 Titles | 4/13 | 24 | 12 | 12 | 0

### Four Nations

[edit]

Four Nations record

Year  | Round  | Position  | GP  | W  | L  | D
2009 | Not Invited
2010 | Failed to Qualify
2011 | Not Invited
2014 | Failed to Qualify
2016 | Not Invited
Total | 0 Titles | 0/5 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0

### Pacific Cup

[edit]

Pacific Cup record

Year  | Round  | Position  | GP  | W  | L  | D
1992 | Group stage | 9/10 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0
1994 | Second Place | 2/10 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0
1997 | Group stage | 5/6 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1
2004 | Group stage | 4/6 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0
2006 | Second Place | 2/6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0
2009 | Semi-finals | 3/5 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0
Total | 0 Titles | 6/12 | 20 | 9 | 10 | 1

## IRL Rankings

[edit]

IRL Men's World Rankings

* v
* t
* e

Official rankings as of July 2025
Rank | Change | Team | Pts %
1  |  |  Australia | 100
2  |  |  New Zealand | 83
3  |  |  England | 80
4  |  |  Tonga | 62
5  |  |  Samoa | 53
6  |  |  Papua New Guinea | 51
7  |  |  Fiji | 43
8  |  |  France | 29
9  |  2 |  Netherlands | 22
10  |  |  Cook Islands | 22
11  |  2 |  Serbia | 18
12  |  |  Wales | 18
13  |  |  Malta | 16
14  |  1 |  Greece | 14
15  |  1 |  Ukraine | 13
16  |  |  Lebanon | 11
17  |  |  Italy | 10
18  |  |  Ireland | 9
19  |  5 |  United States | 8
20  |  1 |  Jamaica | 8
21  |  1 |  Czech Republic | 8
22  |  |  Scotland | 7
23  |  2 |  Chile | 7
24  |  1 |  Philippines | 7
25  |  |  Poland | 5
26  |  1 |  Germany | 5
27  |  1 |  Norway | 5
28  |  2 |  South Africa | 5
29  |  |  Brazil | 4
30  |  |  Kenya | 4
31  |  |  Canada | 4
32  |  |  Montenegro | 3
33  |  |  North Macedonia | 3
34  |  22 |  Morocco | 3
35  |  1 |  Argentina | 3
36  |  1 |  Albania | 2
37  |  1 |  Bulgaria | 2
38  |  1 |  Ghana | 2
39  |  1 |  Nigeria | 2
40  |  1 |  Turkey | 1
41  |  1 |  Cameroon | 1
42  |  1 |  Japan | 1
43  |  1 |  Spain | 1
44  |  1 |  Colombia | 1
45  |  1 |  El Salvador | 0
46  |  1 |  Russia | 0
47  |  1 |  Bosnia and Herzegovina | 0
48  |  1 |  Hong Kong | 0
49  |  1 |  Solomon Islands | 0
50  |  1 |  Vanuatu | 0
51  |  6 |  Hungary | 0
52  |  1 |  Latvia | 0
53  |  1 |  Denmark | 0
54  |  1 |  Belgium | 0
55  |  1 |  Estonia | 0
56  |  1 |  Sweden | 0
57  |  7 |  Niue | 0
Complete rankings at
www.internationalrugbyleague.com

## See also

[edit]

* Sports portal

* Fiji National Rugby League Competition
* Fiji women's national rugby league team
* Fiji National Rugby League
* Rugby league in Fiji

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "NOQU MASU - Fiji Bati's Pre Game Hymn — thecoconet.tv - the world's largest hub of Pacific Island content.uu".
2. ^ "Fiji vs. PNG 2015 Melanesian Cup". Nrl.com. 2 May 2015. Retrieved 2 May 2015.
3. ^ Rasekaseka, Marika (8 Oct 2024). "Michael Jennings joins Fiji Bati squad for 2024 Pacific Championship". Fiji Village. Retrieved 8 Oct 2024.
4. ^ "Pacific Championships Squad Tracker: Burton Selected for Kangaroos, Kikau for Fiji". Bulldogs.com.au. 8 Oct 2024. Retrieved 8 Oct 2024.
5. ^ "Head to Head". Rugby League Project. Retrieved 5 November 2020.
6. ^ "Fiji Head to Head". rugbyleagueproject. Retrieved 29 October 2023.

## External links

[edit]

* Google-Video
* Fiji Rugby League Fans Forums - RugbyLeague.org
* 2008 Rugby League World Cup Site

* v
* t
* e

Fiji national rugby league team

Federation|

* Fiji National Rugby League

Statistics|

* Results
* World Cup

Events|

* Melanesian Cup
* 2016 Pacific Test Match

Other teams|

* Women
* Fiji Prime Minister's XIII

* v
* t
* e

National sports teams of Fiji

* Badminton
* Basketball
* M
* M U18
* M U15
* W
* W U18
* W U15
* Beach soccer
* Cricket
* M
* M U19
* W
* W U19
* Field hockey
* M
* W
* Football
* M
* M U23
* M U20
* M U17
* W
* W U20
* W U17
* Futsal
* M
* W
* Netball
* Rugby league
* M
* W
* Rugby union
* M
* M U20
* M7
* W
* W7
* Tennis
* M
* W
* Volleyball

* Olympics
* Paralympics
* Commonwealth Games

* v
* t
* e

Rugby league in Oceania

Main articles|

* Australia
* Cook Islands
* Fiji
* New Zealand
* Papua New Guinea
* Samoa
* Solomon Islands
* Tokelau
* Tonga

Major federations|

* Asia-Pacific
* Australia
* Cook Islands
* Fiji
* New Zealand
* Papua New Guinea
* Samoa
* Solomon Islands
* Tonga

Major competitions|

* Australia
* Cook Islands
* Fiji
* New Zealand
* Papua New Guinea
* Solomon Islands

National teams|

* American Samoa
* Australia
* Cook Islands
* East Timor
* Fiji
* Guam
* Kiribati
* Marshall Islands
* Nauru
* New Caledonia
* New Zealand
* Niue
* Norfolk Island
* Palau
* Papua New Guinea
* Samoa
* Solomon Islands
* Tahiti
* Tokelau
* Tonga
* Tuvalu
* Vanuatu
* Wallis and Futuna

Women's national teams|

* Australia
* Cook Islands
* Fiji
* New Zealand
* Niue
* Papua New Guinea
* Samoa
* Tokelau
* Tonga

Pacific Cup|

* 1975
* 1977
* 1986
* 1988
* 1990
* 1992
* 1994
* 1996
* 1997
* 1998
* 2004
* 2006
* 2009

Pacific Rugby League International|

* 2010
* 2013
* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2022

Oceania Cup /
Pacific Championships|

* 2019
* ~~2020~~
* 2023
* 2024
* 2025

International competitions|

* Anzac Test
* Four Nations
* Peter Leitch QSM Challenge Trophy
* Pacific Games

* v
* t
* e

Rugby League Pacific Championships

* Australia
* M
* W
* Cook Islands
* M
* W
* Fiji
* M
* W
* New Zealand
* M
* W
* Papua New Guinea
* M
* W
* Samoa
* M
* W
* Tonga
* M
* W

Tournaments|

* 2019
* ~~2020~~
* 2023
* 2024
* 2025

Squads|

* 2019
* ~~2020~~
* 2023
* 2024
* 2025

* v
* t
* e

Rugby league national teams

Men|

* Albania
* American Samoa
* Austria
* Argentina
* Australia
* Belgium
* Bosnia
* Brazil
* Bulgaria
* Burundi
* Cameroon
* Canada
* Chile
* Colombia
* Cook Islands
* Czech Republic
* DR Congo
* Denmark
* Ecuador
* El Salvador
* England
* Estonia
* Fiji
* France
* Germany
* Georgia
* Ghana
* Great Britain
* Greece
* Hong Kong
* Hungary
* India
* Ireland
* Italy
* Jamaica
* Japan
* Kenya
* Latvia
* Lebanon
* Lithuania
* Malta
* Mexico
* Moldova
* Montenegro
* Morocco
* Netherlands
* New Caledonia
* New Zealand
* Nigeria
* Niue
* Norfolk Island
* North Macedonia
* Norway
* Pakistan
* Papua New Guinea
* Peru
* Philippines
* Poland
* Portugal
* Russia
* Samoa
* Scotland
* Serbia
* Solomon Islands
* South Africa
* Spain
* Sweden
* Thailand
* Tokelau
* Tonga
* Turkey
* Ukraine
* UAE
* United States
* Uruguay
* Vanuatu
* Wales

Women|

* Argentina
* Australia
* Brazil
* Canada
* Cook Islands
* England
* Fiji
* France
* Ghana
* Great Britain
* Greece
* Ireland
* Italy
* Jamaica
* Kenya
* Lebanon
* Malta
* Netherlands
* New Zealand
* Nigeria
* Niue
* Papua New Guinea
* Philippines
* Samoa
* Serbia
* Tonga
* Turkey
* Uganda
* United States
* Wales

Related|

* International Rugby League
* Asia-Pacific Rugby League
* European Rugby League
* World Rankings
* Men
* Women

*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template
*[Change]: Change from December 2024
*[Pts %]: Percentage points