I don't think I needed to play for Fiji - Campbell‑Gillard

Panthers forward Reagan Campbell‑Gillard says he has the full blessing of his mother despite choosing to play for Australia over Fiji in the Rugby League World Cup.

Campbell-Gillard who represented the Fiji Bati in 2014 against Samoa says he had already decided that he would not play for the nation of his mother Georgina's heritage.

As it happens, Georgina was in Fiji on holiday when Campbell‑Gillard received his maiden call‑up into the Kangaroos team and will now extend her stay in her homeland so that she can see her son take part.

Campbell-Gillard told NRL.com that he didn't think he needed to play for Fiji.

He says he has played for Fiji before and he has got the utmost respect for coach Mick Potter and the Fijian team and he thought he should give someone else an opportunity to play for Fiji and represent their family and their heritage.

Papua New Guinea will first play Fiji in a 40‑minute match at 5.30pm Saturday, after which the Kumuls will face the Kangaroos and then Australia will play the Fiji Bati at 7.30pm Saturday at the ANZ Stadium.