Former Kangaroos prop Petero Civoniceva said it is an honor for him to play for the Vodafone Fiji Bati for the first time as he captains the team to next month’s Rugby League World Cup in England.
37-year-old Civoniceva was born in Suva however he left for Australia when he was six months old.
He has played 45 matches for Australia and 309 games in the NRL, mainly for the Brisbane Broncos before retiring at the end of last year and stepping down to play for the Redcliffe Dolphins in the Queensland Cup.
Speaking to Fijivillage from Brisbane, Civoniceva who now works for the NRL and is one of the panelists on Pacific Sport 360 said he always has a special place for Fiji in his heart and he is ready for the World Cup.
Civoniceva said the 15 NRL players based in Australia will come to Fiji early next month.
The 21-man Bati squad includes 15 NRL players.
Coach Rick Stone said three more players would be added to the squad and confirmed he is in talks with former Australian internationals Lote Tuqiri and Parramatta Eels fullback Jarryd Hayne.
Tuqiri announced two weeks ago he had signed with top Irish rugby side Leinster while Hayne will only commit to Fiji if he fails to earn a recall to the Australian side.
Akuila Uate will also play for Fiji if he is not picked for the Kangaroos.
Fiji finished fourth in the 2008 World Cup.
Story by: Vijay Narayan
It is an honour to play for the Fiji Bati
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