Wests Tigers, the Sydney-based National Rugby League club, said on 5 October that four of its players — Apisai “Api” Koroisau, Sunia Turuva, Solomone Saukuru and Josese Lanyon — have been named in the Fiji Bati squad for the 2026 Rugby League World Cup. The club said that makes it the most represented NRL club in the Bati squad. Wests Tigers said the tournament starts on 15 October, with Fiji opening against the Cook Islands on Sunday 18 October at McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle at 4.05pm.
The Bati are Fiji’s national rugby league team, competing at a World Cup that runs a group stage before knockout rounds decide the title.
Key facts
- Group A: Fiji, Australia, New Zealand, Cook Islands — the toughest pool of the event, RNZ said.
- After Newcastle: Australia in Brisbane, New Zealand on the Gold Coast, according to Wests Tigers.
- Out: forwards Tui Kamikamica and Viliame Kikau, fullback Jahream Bula, RNZ reported.
- Fainu brothers ruled out on eligibility documentation, RNZ and Zero Tackle reported.
Why it matters
RNZ reported that with Kamikamica, who was Bati captain, and Kikau, who deputised at times, both unavailable, the Bati will have a new captain at the World Cup, and that the likely choice would be Koroisau — whom RNZ described as the veteran Wests Tigers captain and a three-time premiership winner. Head coach Mick Potter is likely to select a leadership team, RNZ said, with the focus on the team combining together.
Zero Tackle reported that the Fainu brothers would have been a walk-in into the Fijian side and would have strengthened it massively. Zero Tackle noted the brothers are also Wests Tigers players.
The four Tigers
Wests Tigers said Koroisau has represented Fiji in 13 World Cup matches dating back to his first appearance at the 2013 tournament, and that this will be his first time representing Fiji as a Wests Tigers player after joining the club in 2023. The club said he won its Players’ Player Award this season after 19 games with four try assists, two line-break assists and 953 metres run, an average of 50 metres a game, plus 775 tackles at 92 percent efficiency.
Turuva has played four World Cup matches for Fiji and, like Koroisau, will represent his country as a Wests Tigers player for the first time, the club said. It said the winger scored five tries in 21 games for the club in 2026.
Saukuru, 21, has earned a debut World Cup selection after recently signing a new two-year deal, Wests Tigers said. The club said he made his NRL debut against St George-Illawarra in Round 24 and scored four tries in four games, including a double on debut.
Lanyon, described by Wests Tigers as a local club junior, has also been named for his first World Cup. The club said he debuted against the Gold Coast Titans in Round 15, with head coach Benji Marshall calling the performance “phenomenal”.
Who is missing, and why
RNZ reported Kamikamica has since retired after suffering a stroke four months ago, that Kikau is out because of an ankle injury, and that Bula is out due to post-season shoulder surgery. Fiji News reported earlier that the Bati named its squad for the tournament without Viliame Kikau.
On the Fainu brothers, the two accounts differ in detail. RNZ said Potter has moved on from the brothers — whom it named as Latu, Samuela and Sione — because they have not been allowed to play for Fiji as their documentation does not meet International Rugby League requirements. Zero Tackle, naming them Siona, Samuela and Latu, said they failed to provide evidence confirming their Fijian heritage and that News Corp revealed the IRL had ruled them out.
RNZ said the absences forced Potter to reshuffle three positions, creating opportunities for younger players.
Travel and preparation
RNZ reported that flight changes had affected the team, with several players going through changed flights. “It was nearly like travelling to Europe as opposed to travelling to Fiji, just to get to Fiji, so they’re all very tired,” Potter told RNZ. He said the squad needs to keep training or risk injury, and that he did not think any stone would be left unturned in preparation.
Potter’s record, and Fiji’s wider season
Potter took the Bati to the semi-finals at the 2017 Rugby League World Cup, RNZ said. Fiji’s other national sides have also been busy in 2026, from the Fiji Kulas’ first MSG Cup win over New Caledonia to Nadroga’s Ratuniyarawa signing for the Drua in rugby union.
The named squad
RNZ said the squad was announced on Tuesday, alongside Samoa’s and Tonga’s:
- 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
- Jordan Miller
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Newcastle Knights prop Jacob Saifiti available to play for the Bati?
Yes. RNZ reported Saifiti is free to play after completing a four-match ban for a high shot on Warriors winger Luke Laulilii in Newcastle’s NRL round 26 match. RNZ described the veteran prop as an important inclusion, particularly with Tui Kamikamica and Viliame Kikau both missing.
Where is the Fiji Bati squad training before it flies to Australia?
RNZ reported the squad began its preparation at the Uprising Resort in Deuba, about 45 minutes’ drive outside Suva. As of Monday evening 19 players were in camp, with the remaining squad members expected to join the team in Newcastle, Australia, on Sunday.
How far has Fiji gone at previous Rugby League World Cups?
RNZ reported the Bati reached the semi-finals in 2008, 2013 and 2017, and were knocked out by Australia on each occasion. Wests Tigers said Fiji was eliminated in the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup by New Zealand in England.
Can the Fainu brothers still play for another country at this World Cup?
Zero Tackle reported the ruling leaves the brothers a chance to play for Tonga, but said that given Tonga’s depth it would be increasingly difficult to secure a Test spot. Zero Tackle said only Latu is likely to come into selection conversations for Kristian Woolf’s Tongan side, given limited half options outside Isaiya Katoa.
