LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
The 2025 Pacific Championships are on the horizon, with Fiji, Cook Islands, and Papua New Guinea preparing to compete in the Pacific Bowl for a chance to advance to the Pacific Cup next year.
Following a disappointing performance in 2024, where Fiji Bati suffered a loss against Papua New Guinea, the team is determined to make a strong comeback this year. They are poised to enter the tournament with a robust lineup.
Key players returning from last year's absence include Apisai Koroisau and Jahream Bula from the Wests Tigers, alongside their teammate Sunia Turuva. The squad will also likely include Marcelo Montoya and Viliame Kikau, provided they recover from minor injuries sustained during the 2025 NRL Finals series.
Fiji is hopeful that the Saifiti brothers will be available for selection, especially since they have committed to participating in the 2026 Rugby League World Cup (RLWC). Young talents like Caleb Navale from the Manly Sea Eagles and Simione Laifai stand out as potential players to watch if they get the opportunity to perform.
Unfortunately, the squad will be without winger Maika Sivo, who suffered a ruptured ACL earlier in the season, as well as dual-code star Mark Nawaqanitawase, who is expected to be chosen by the Kangaroos for their tour of England.
Here's a look at some anticipated members of Fiji's 21-man squad:
1. Jahream Bula (Wests Tigers)
2. Sunia Turuva (Wests Tigers)
3. Semi Valemei (Castleford Tigers)
4. Mikaele Ravalawa (Castleford Tigers)
5. Marcelo Montoya (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs)
6. Brandon Wakeham (Manly Sea Eagles)
7. Kurt Donoghoe (The Dolphins)
8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard (Gold Coast Titans)
9. Apisai Koroisau (Wests Tigers)
10. Daniel Saifiti (The Dolphins)
11. Viliame Kikau (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs)
12. Kitione Kautoga (Parramatta Eels)
13. Caleb Navale (Manly Sea Eagles)