Fiji Batis look strong for Rugby League World Cup campaign: Petero

RETIRED Queensland Maroons and Australian Kangaroos forward Petero Civoniceva will make his last rugby league World Cup appearance in October for Fiji to honor his parents and his Fijian roots.

Civoniceva, who was brought to Australia in 1977 by his parents as a three year-old is the most capped forward for the Maroons and Kangaroos and after retiring last year currently resides in Redcliff outside of Brisbane with his wife and four children.

The 193cm prop was in Lae on Friday and Saturday as the ambassador for Nambawan Trophy Haus Ltd and told reporters on Saturday after opening the company’s Fone Haus showroom that he is still physically fit for rugby league’s pinnacle tournament. 

“Basically I’m in good shape and will take part and play for Fiji. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do and I guess it’s an opportunity to realise my heritage,” he said. 

“It’s been a great honor to play for Australia, it’s always what I’ve wanted to do as a child but to play for Fiji is definitely an honour, for my parents, you know they made a decision to come to Australia when I was

Petero Civoniceva. Getty Images

young so to play for Fiji is very special for them,” Civoniceva said.

He described the possible Fiji team as a strong squad of players from the local scene who will be beefed up by National Rugby League stars led by Jarryd Hayne (Parramatta Eels), Aquila Uate (Newcastle Knights), Ashton Sims, Tariq Sims (North Qld Cowboys), Corbin Sims (Newcastle Knights), John Sutton (South Sydney Rabbitohs) and Lote Tuquri (Wests Tigers). 

“I think with all that experience with myself and all the guys, I think we’ve got a good squad of players,” he said.