Fiji Bati team to play in Pacific Test named

The Vodafone Fiji Bati team to play in Tonga in the 2017 Pacific Test this week has been named.

Coach Mick Potter says Gold Coast Titans star Jarryd Hayne and Dragons’ Tariq Sims will not feature in the Pacific Test but remain in the frame for the World Cup later this year.

Potter says veteran South Sydney forward John Sutton and Parramatta Eels wing Semi Radradra were also not considered for selection.

Potter has named a total of 17 NRL players in the Bati squad.

They include Waqa Blake, Kane Evans, Tui Kamikamica, Viliame Kikau, Apisai Koroisau, Taane Milne, Marcelo Montoya, Sitiveni Moceidreke, Kevin Naiqama (Captain), Tyrone Phillips, Henry Raiwalui, Daniel Saifiti, Jacob Saifiti, Korbin Sims, Eloni Vunakece and Suliasi Vunivalu.

The other players are Ben Nakubuwai of the Sunshine Coast and James Storer.

The 2017 Pacific Test will be held this Saturday with Cook Islands taking on Papua New Guinea at 5:15pm, Fiji Bati against Tonga at 7.30pm while England will face Samoa at 9.40pm.

Fiji Bati Squad

Akuila Uate (Sea Eagles)

Waqa Blake (Penrith)

Kane Evans (Sydney Roosters)

Tui Kamikamica (Melbourne Storm)

Viliame Kikau (Penrith Panthers)

Apisai Koroisau (Manly Sea Eagles)

Taane Milne (St George Illawarra Dragons)

Marcelo Montoya (Canterbury‑Bankstown Bulldogs)

Sitiveni Moceidreke (South Sydney Rabbitohs)

Kevin Naiqama (Wests Tigers)

Ben Nakubuwai (Sunshine Coast)

Tyrone Phillips (Canterbury‑Bankstown Bulldogs)

Henry Raiwalui (Manly Sea Eagles)

Daniel Saifiti (Newcastle Knights)

Jacob Saifiti (Newcastle Knights)

Korbin Sims (Brisbane Broncos)

James Storer (Illawarra)

Eloni Vunakece (Sydney Roosters)

Suliasi Vunivalu (Melbourne Storm)

Source: nrl.com