Sports

FIJI BATI vs TOA SAMOA

Huge crowds are expected in Apia for the first test ever in Samoa this afternoon between Toa Samoa and Fiji Bati.

The game is also special because it marks 30 years of rugby league in Samoa and will be the first time the national team has clashed with their rivals since they were beaten by Fiji at the Rugby League World Cup three years ago!

Matt Parish, Head Coach of Toa Samoa said of his side "The team is full of young and exciting young players and they’ve got plenty of good football in front of them. We have about five to six players playing for the Toa Samoa for the first time and we are very much looking forward to seeing them play on Saturday in a national arena. We’ve also had some experienced players who played in the last World Cup and Four Nation’s tournaments and the Pacific Test. I have absolute faith in our team, they are all good players and some of them are stars in the N.R.L"

“It’s going to be a physical game - that’s how all Pacific nations’ teams are but we have a very, very good team and we need you all to come down and support us because we are up against a very tough team from Fiji.” he added about the game.

The Fiji Bati coach, Michael Potter, said they know what to expect from Samoa but they are ready.

“We’ve had a steady build up, it’s going to be hot and tough for both teams. We’re looking forward to starting well. We know how tough they’re going to be so we’re just going to do our best" he said.

It’s not all about the big hits or the game with the Bati boys though

“They (Fiji Bati team) have been out and about a little bit,” Potter said “They spent an hour at the hospital in the kids ward. That was very humbling for them because they are a lot more soft than we know and it’s good to bring them back to earth.”

With Rugby League in Samoa celebrating it's 30th birthday the Office of the Australian High Commission hosted a reception on Thursday night to commemorate the event. The Toa Samoa coach also acknowledged the support of the NRL in Australia for making the occasion happen.

“There has been a lot of work to get this day happening and obviously we couldn’t have done it without the support of the N.R.L. who have been fantastic. I am hoping this is the start of some games right through the Pacific because the Pacific Islander, the Polynesians in the N.R.L. have got some great talent"

It will be a full programme of matches today with a women's match between two local high schools kicking off this morning at 11am, an Under 16s clash and the Toa Samoa Residents against New South Wales Country before the main game at 2.30pm.

And here are your Fiji Bati & Toa Samoa teams taking the field this afternoon: -

FIJI BATI

1. Kevin Naiqama (Wests Tigers)
2. Tyrone Phillips (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs)
3. Waqa Blake (Penrith Panthers)
4. Brayden Williame (Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles)
5. Marcelo Montoya (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs)
6. Sitveni Moceidreke (North Sydney Bears)
7. Henry Raiwalui (Wentworthville Magpies)
8. Vitale Roqica (Cronulla Sharks)
9. Apisai Koroisau (Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles)
10. Kane Evans (Sydney Roosters)
11. Viliame Kikau (Penrith Panthers)
12. Eloni Vunakece (Sydney Roosters)
13. Korbin Sims (Newcastle Knights)
14. Erevonu (Tui) Kamikamica (Melbourne Storm)
15. Petero (Ben) Nakubuwai (Melbourne Storm)
16. Pio Seci (Fiji)
17. James Storer (Port Kembla - Illawarra)
18. Saimoni Lomaloma (Fiji)

TOA SAMOA

1. Leeson Ah Mau (St George Illawarra Dragons)
2. Tim Lafai (St George Illawarra Dragons)
3. Sam Kasiano (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs)
4. Raymond Faitala Mariner (Canterbury-Bankston Bulldogs)
5. Kaysa Pritchard (Parramatta Eels)
6. Denny Solomona (Castleford Tigers)
7. Junior Paulo (Canberra Raiders)
8. Sauaso Su’e (Wests Tigers)
9. David Nofoaluma (Wests Tigers)
10. Kane Evans (Sydney Roosters)
11. Pita Godinet (Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles)
12. Mason Lino (New Zealand Warriors)
13. Ken Maumalo (New Zealand Warriors)
14. Sam Lisone (New Zealand Warriors)
15. James Gavet (New Zealand Warriors)
16. Bunty Afoa (New Zealand Warriors)
17. Erin Clark (New Zealand Warriors)

Source: Rugby League Samoa, Samoa Observer & ABC Online

Farewell to Rugby League Legend Ali Lauitiiti