Fiji, Samoa and Tonga all named their men’s squads for the 2026 Rugby League World Cup on Tuesday, with the Fiji Bati list missing three of its most recognisable players, according to RNZ. The Bati squad of 22 was confirmed while the team trained at the Uprising Resort in Deuba, about a 45-minute drive outside Suva.
Key facts
- Forward Tui Kamikamica, the Bati captain, is out after retiring following a stroke four months ago, RNZ reports.
- Viliame Kikau, who deputised as captain at times, is out with an ankle injury, and fullback Jahream Bula is unavailable after post-season shoulder surgery.
- Head coach Mick Potter told the Fiji Sun a new captain will be named; RNZ says the likely choice is Wests Tigers captain Apisai Koroisau.
- Fiji are pooled with the Cook Islands, Australia and New Zealand, which RNZ calls the toughest pool of the event.
- Nineteen players were in camp as of Monday evening, with the rest due to join the squad in Newcastle, Australia, on Sunday.
Why it matters
RNZ notes the Bati have been top performers at previous World Cups, reaching the semi-finals in 2008, 2013 and 2017, only to be knocked out by Australia on each occasion. Potter himself took Fiji to the 2017 semi-finals. The side now goes into the hardest group with a leadership vacuum and three positions reshuffled.
It also matters off the field. Samoa coach Ben Gardiner said his squad is playing for Samoans everywhere and expects large crowds at every match, a reminder that Pacific league teams draw heavily on supporters based abroad — the same communities of Fijians in Australia and New Zealand who follow Fiji sport from a distance.
Who is out, and why
Beyond injury and retirement, RNZ reports Potter has moved on from the Fainu brothers — Latu, Samuela and Sione — who have not been allowed to play for Fiji because their documentation does not meet International Rugby League requirements, the sport’s global governing body. RNZ says those absences forced Potter to reshuffle three positions, creating openings for younger players.
One senior inclusion is Newcastle Knights prop Jacob Saifiti, who is again available to the Bati. RNZ describes him as an important addition given the loss of Kamikamica and Kikau from the front row.
The named squad
RNZ lists the Fiji Bati squad as: Bayleigh Bentley-Hape, Waqa Blake, Kurt Donoghoe, Apenisa Driti, Kitione Kautoga, Elijah Keung, Apisai Koroisau, Josese Lanyon, Jordan Leiu, Joseph Litidamu, Kylan Mafoa, Taane Milne, Caleb Navale, Jimmy Ngutlik, Ronald Philitoga, Mitchell Prest, Emosi Ravosai, Jacob Saifiti, Solomone Saukuru, Sunia Turuva, Brandon Wakeham and Jordan Miller.
Camp in Deuba, then Newcastle
Potter told the Fiji Sun that changed flights had taken a toll on arriving players. “It was nearly like travelling to Europe as opposed to travelling to Fiji, just to get to Fiji, so they’re all very tired,” he said in comments reported by RNZ. He added that the squad still needed to keep training to avoid injury, and praised players for doing so in their own time.
On leadership, Potter indicated he is likely to name a leadership group rather than lean on one figure, saying his expectation is that players do their best individually and collectively — for their country, their families and the coaching staff, according to RNZ.
Samoa and Tonga
RNZ describes Toa Samoa as star-studded, led by captain Junior Paulo and including Jarome Luai, Stephen Crichton, Brian To’o, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Spencer Leniu. Tabuai-Fidow’s selection is significant because he has previously represented Australia. Samoa are without Payne Haas through injury and Simi Sasagi, who awaits surgery, while Queensland pair Jeremiah Nanai and Murray Taulagi missed the cut.
Gardiner framed the campaign around Rugby League Samoa’s 40th anniversary year and thanked supporters worldwide. Tonga, meanwhile, left out veteran Sydney Roosters winger Daniel Tupou, who won his fourth NRL grand final on Sunday night; RNZ says one of the 24 Tongan players named on Tuesday morning must still be cut to reach a final 23.
Elsewhere in Fiji rugby
Fiji’s men’s and women’s deaf rugby sevens teams need between $50,000 and $70,000 to fund their campaign at the World Deaf Rugby Sevens Championship in Tokyo from 31 October to 3 November, team manager Lionel Danford told the Fiji Sun. He said the Fiji National Sports Commission has helped through its Disability Funds and the Australian High Commission’s PacificAus Sports programme funded kits, but a gap remains for daily expenses and camp costs.
Danford said many players are unemployed and pay their own transport to training, and that keeping consistent numbers in the women’s team is difficult because of work and family commitments. Both squads entered camp and trained at the Sigatoka Sand Dunes, and were due to scrimmage Fiji’s national men’s sevens team at the Pasifika Communities University, an opportunity Danford credited to sevens coach Osea Kolinisau. The teams fly to Narita on 27 October and return on 5 November.
In rugby union, Kickoff reports, citing Rapport, that 2007 World Cup-winning Springbok coach Jake White is among the contenders to take over as Fiji head coach for the 2027 Rugby World Cup. Fiji’s professional pathway continues to make news too, including Nadroga’s Ratuniyarawa signing for the Drua, while Fiji’s other national teams have had their own milestones, such as the Kulas’ first MSG Cup win.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Newcastle Knights prop Jacob Saifiti available again?
RNZ reports Saifiti is free to play for the Bati after completing a four-match ban for a high shot on Warriors winger Luke Laulilii in Newcastle’s NRL round 26 match. RNZ describes him as an important inclusion with Tui Kamikamica and Viliame Kikau both out.
When does Toa Samoa play its first World Cup match?
According to RNZ, Samoa open against France on Friday 16 October. RNZ also reports Samoa finish pool play against Tonga, a match coach Ben Gardiner expects to draw large crowds.
Which teams are Fiji’s deaf rugby sevens sides drawn against in Tokyo?
The Fiji Sun reports the men are in Pool A with defending champions Wales, South Africa, New Zealand, Samoa and the Barbarians. The women are in Pool C with Wales, Australia, England, the Barbarians and New Zealand.
Who currently coaches Fiji’s rugby union side?
Kickoff reports Fiji are coached by Senirusi Seruvakula, who took over on an interim basis earlier this year after Mick Byrne left the post. Kickoff says the Springboks will play Fiji in a warm-up match before the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
