October 15, 2010
Australian Fijian youngsters go down fighting in 2010 “Battle of the Bati” to Fiji Residents.

The Australian Fijians went down in the Battle of the Bati decider against the Fiji Residents 26 -16 at a wet Ratu Cakabau Park, Nausori with Head Coach Daryl Neville labeling the performance as his proudest day coaching with the AFRL.

In what was described by watching NSWRL officials as one of the most brutal games they had seen in 2010 Neville’s youngsters stood up to the much older and bigger residents and were unlucky to not come away with the win after accounting for the NZ Fijians 42 -10 two days previous.

With the scores locked at 16 all and the Australian Fijians defending set after set on their line and on the end of another landslide penalty count a strong kick chase led by Kane Evans and Dan Rauicava forced a turnover with Ratu Tagive crossing for a try only to be controversially pulled back for a forward pass. The Australian Fijians were again marched down the other end with the residents weight of posession eventually taking its toll on the young Aussie based Fijians and the residents crossed for two late tries to seal a 26 – 16 win.

Coach Daryl Neville was so full of praise for his young team in the dressing rooms speaking so highly of the babies of the team and their courageous goal line defense.

“To have young forwards Ben Takawai (19 years old), Josh Jale (19 years old), (Kane Evans (18 years old) and Junior Roqica (19 years old) trading blows with some of the biggest men playing Rugby League in Fiji made me so proud today. To look across the backline and have Brayden Wiliame (17 years old), Paul Rokolati (18 years old), Joe Rokoqo (19 years old), Ratu Tagive (19 years old) and Junior Rika (19 years old) just tells me what sort of future the Australian Fijians have to look forward to. It’s strange because we lost but there is a feeling of genuine excitement amongst everyone involved. To think also that Joseph Ulubau (Wests Tigers 19) and Jacob Loko (Parramatta Eels 18) were unable to join us here this year the AFRL’s future is very healthy.”

AFRL Chairman James Pickering was also full of praise for the Aussie Fijians efforts.

“This tour is not just about winning. Although it is very important to our players to win and gain national team selection, from the AFRL’s perspective it is about also achieving some cultural recognition for our boys and coming back to the place where they were born or where there parents were born and seeing how life is in Fiji. From a cultural aspect we achieved what we wanted to do and our fantastic accommodation partner in Pacific Harbour – The Uprising Beach Resort, made this possible. Also our visit to Hilton Home where they care and educate deaf and blind children in Suva also opened up our eyes and saw our boys donate generously to the people that run that special place. The AFRL will officially have Hilton Home listed as our preferred charity and provide ongoing help in whatever capacity we can. Also special thank you to Mereani Niuquila from Air Pacific for her efforts right up to the day we left in getting us all boarded on the plane from Sydney. All of the above have made this tour a winner for our association regardless and we look forward to coming back to our homeland again next year.”

The Australian Fijians were rewarded for their efforts with Ryan Millard, Lepani Waqa, Donas Gock, Hamilton Hughes, Henry Raiwalui and Junior Roqica joining NRL and Super League stars Kevin Naiqama, Wes Naiqama, Daryll Millard and Dan Rauicava in being named in the Fiji Bati.

Ratu Tagive, Kane Evans, Paul Rokolati, Brayden Wiliame, Josh Jale, Joe Rokoqo, Joseph Ulubau, Corey Evans, Jacob Loko, Aaron Loko, Ben Takawai and Junior Rika (c) were all named in the inaugural u/20’s Junior Bati team.