The Vodafone Fiji Bati is gearing up for Saturday’s Pacific Bowl Championship final against their fierce rivals, Papua New Guinea, with an invigorated sense of determination and confidence. Fullback Jahream Bula, who notably scored four tries in the team’s opening match against the Cook Islands, emphasizes that the squad is motivated by the sting of last year’s defeat. He expressed the team’s eagerness to rectify past mistakes and establish dominance, stating, “Yeah, obviously the last few years we’ve lost to PNG, so let’s build that fire inside of us to go in there and beat them.”
Bula noted that while the Bati’s offensive capabilities are strong, there are still defensive aspects that require attention. He mentioned, “We scored a lot of points last game, but so did the other team. We just need to work on our defense.” This focus on balance between attack and defense is crucial as they move into a high-stakes match.
The team has been preparing extensively, and their growth throughout the tournament signals promising prospects not only for this game but also as they set their sights on next year’s Rugby League World Cup. Bula added, “The team that puts on the most pressure will come out with the win, so hopefully we can do that against them and get the win.”
The match is scheduled for 5 PM today and will be broadcast live on FBC Sports, heightening the anticipation among fans eager to see an exciting showdown. The head coach, Wise Kativerata, has been focusing the team’s preparations on improving key areas of gameplay, including ruck control, to ensure that they can set the platform needed to capitalize on scoring opportunities. “We need to control the ruck; we need our forwards to set the platform for our outside backs,” Kativerata commented, highlighting the importance of solid forwards’ performance.
After suffering a defeat to the Kumuls in a previous encounter, the Bati’s confidence is crucial as they head into this match, buoyed by recent training improvements and a strong carryover from their last game. The hopeful atmosphere within the camp is a testament to the team’s resilience and readiness to face their Pacific rivals once again.
As the final approaches, the excitement continues to build, not only for the players but also for fans witnessing the determination of a team eager to reclaim victory and solidify its standing in regional rugby league.