Fiji Bati head coach Mick Potter will move to Fiji in the next few weeks to lead the team’s preparation for the upcoming Rugby League World Cup (RLWC).
This has been confirmed by Fiji National Rugby League (FNRL) chairman Rajesh Singh.
Singh said the FNRL is grateful to local authorities for granting Potter’s work visa, adding it is an important step in the team’s preparation for the world meet.
Fiji will face Australia, the Cook Islands and New Zealand in the 2026 RLWC hosted by Australia.
Singh said with the head coache’s visa sorted, he can start the work needed to prepare the team.
Singh was in Australia for the past two weeks where he met with Potter and former Bati reps in Australia to set up the support system ahead of the RLWC.
Potter first coached Fiji in 2017, leading the Fijians to a famous win over New Zealand.
But mixed results in the last four years have seen the side struggle in the Pacific Bowl competition, where it played Papua New Guinea and the Cook Islands.
The Pacific Cup is the second division of the Pacific Cup, where Samoa and Tonga compete against Australia and New Zealand.
Singh and FNRL deputy chairman Etiko Rokobuli have been in Sydney and Brisbane the last fortnight, meeting with former Bati players like Naiqama brothers, Wes and Kevin. A number of former Bati reps have indicated that they would want to assist Potter.
Singh and Rokobuli also attended the launch of the new Australian Rugby League partnership with Fiji, Samoa, Tonga and Papua New Guinea.
Both the Fiji Bati and the Fiji Bulikula will be in action at the World Cup.
The Bulikula are being coached by former double international Josaia Rabele Dakuitoga.
Singh said the FNRL understands the importance of having both teams prepared well for the world event and what that will mean for the sport in the country.
The Fiji Bati is scheduled to meet Cook Islands in their opening Pool A game on 18 October in Newcastle, while the Bulikula will face New Zealand on the same day.
