Fiji Bati faced with injuries ahead of RLWC opening match

The Vodafone Fiji Bati has been hit with some injuries ahead of their opening Rugby League World Cup match with the Australian Kangaroos this weekend.

Dragons winger Mikaele Ravalawa travelled to England with the squad but failed to overcome a hamstring injury that plagued him towards the end of the NRL season while Manly’s Pio Seci and Redcliffe’s Joseph Ratuvakacereivalu were injured in the warm-up match last weekend.

Meanwhile the Bati will be bolstered by the inclusion of Penrith hooker Api Koroisau, strike second-rower Viliame Kikua and star Parramatta winger Maika Sivo, while Kativerata said Canterbury halfback Brandon Wakeham will provide the much needed playmaker experience.

Kativerata has a close relationship with many of the Bati players and recruited Kikau, Canberra centre Semi Valamei and former Eels winger Semi Radrada from Fiji.

The Bati will take on the Kangaroos at 6.30am Sunday.

[nrl.com]