Kativerata to take charge of Bati following Rabele's hospitalisation

Former Fiji Bati centre Wise Kativerata has flown to England to take charge of an injury-hit Bati side ahead of their opening World Cup match against Australia after coach Joe Rabele was hospitalised.

Kativerata will work alongside his former Parramatta Eels team-mate James Webster and ex-Leeds and Toronto Wolfpack mentor Brian McDermott, while a decision is made on whether Rabele can resume his role.

Rabele is understood to have fallen ill soon after the team’s arrival in England for the World Cup and McDermott was in charge for last weekend’s warm-up match, won 50-0 by England.

However, Kativerata attended the World Cup launch with Fiji captain Kevin Naiqama and said he would be calling the shots against the Kangaroos after Rabele asked him to join the camp last week.

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

[Source: NRL]