Fiji Batis focus on attack for England clash

Fiji Bati Team. Photo source: 2013rlwc

Fiji coach Rick Stone wants to see his side bring more attack to their last Rugby League World Cup 2013 Group A match against England at the KC Stadium, Hull, on Saturday (2.30pm).

After beating Ireland at Rochdale in front a heavy Fijian backing, The Bati went on to produce a promising performance in defeat to Australia at Langtree Park, St Helens, in monsoon-like conditions, though Stone would like to see more from his attackers.

“I felt that we could have thrown a bit more at Australia in attack,” said Stone. “But I thought we made them work for their tries and overall I thought we were sound defensively.

“The kicking game probably needs to improve a bit from us, but I thought we handled Greg Inglis pretty well from full-back.

“We have got to improve a little bit to challenge England – they are still a few notches in front of us at the minute, at this particular stage, so we have got to get ourselves together, get over to Hull and see if we can do a little more to our attack.”

Stone has been impressed with the support his side has received so far during RLWC2013, after a stadium-record crowd packed into Spotland – an area with strong ties to Fijian Rugby League – to witness The Bati’s first win, and a lot of fans turned Fiji supporters for their second group game against Australia.

“At Rochdale we had nearly 9,000 with us and at St Helens the crowd were willing us on,” said Stone. “I thought if we get one try that they would lift us a little bit, so I was a little bit disappointed that we didn’t get one try.

“Obviously we won’t have that home ground advantage at Hull but we are looking forward to the challenge and the atmosphere is going to be terrific as well.”

Tickets for the England v Fiji RLWC2013 Group A game at the KC Stadium, Hull, on Saturday (2.30pm) are still available, though only a limited number are left. To purchase your tickets from as little as £15 for adults and £7.50 for concessions, please either visit www.eticketing.co.uk/rlwc or call our 24-hour ticket hotline on 0844 8472013.

Fiji head coach Rick Stone has named his 19 man squad to play England at KC Stadium on Saturday (14:30)

Peni Botiki

Jayson Bukuya

Petero Civoniceva

Kane Evans

Aaron Groom

Apisai Koroisau

Daryl Millard

Ryan Millard

Kevin Naiqama

Waisale Ligani Naiqama

Vitale Junior Roqica

Ashton Sims

Korbin Sims

Tariq Sims

James Storer

Akuila Uate

Eloni Vunakece

Sisa Ledua Waqa

Semi Radradra Turgasoli Waqavatu

Source: 2013rlwc