Fiji Bati coach Waisake Kativerata believes that if Fiji can export plenty of local talents into the NRL with limited resources, Papua New Guinea can send more.
Kativerata, a former NRL player who played at center for St George Illawarra Dragons, Parramatta Eels and South Sydney Rabbitohs between 2002-2004, said PNG had a lot of talent with potential.
“We are lucky enough, most of the NRL players in the Bati team were born and raised in Fiji,” Kativerata said.
“We exported them straight from Fiji and some of them using my contacts in NRL because I’ve lived in Australia for 28 years.
“I hope in the near future we have more Papua New Guinean boys go into NRL system because I think they are good enough to make it.
“So if we can do it in Fiji with less resources then I think PNG can do it because you guys have enough resources and you should do something to help the game and make it happen.”
Kativerata said he came to PNG years ago with the Bati side and he knew what it was like for PNG and rugby league.
“We enjoy PNG the first week here. One thing I know for sure is they are crazy about rugby league and this has never changed since the day I was playing.
“And it will never change, today, tomorrow the next day they love the game.
“They are always happy and they love to see Kumuls win and same for us too.
“We want to see Fiji win.”
The coach is drawing inspiration from Toa Samoa’s fairytale run to World Cup final last year where they finished as runners-up to Australia who won the tournament.
“If Samoa can do it, Fiji can do it, PNG can do it, we just have to believe in ourselves.”
SOURCE: THE NATIONAL/PACNEWS
