LAUTOKA Crushers under-18 team captain Tikiko Noke is hoping his birthday wish comes true today.
His team will play Lami Steelers in the final of the under-18 grade of the Vodafone Cup rugby league competition at midday.
He said his wish is for his team to win the final and he said he doesn't want anything but the under-18 title for his birthday.
"I will turn 18 on the day of the final (today) and so my wish is for my team to win the title," Noke said.
"My birthday celebration will be even bigger and sweeter if our team was to win the final," he said.
The Lomanikoro, Rewa lad is one of several players who received a scholarship from the Newcastle Knights in Australia this year but has been eyed by other clubs.
"Some offers have come and I would love to go and play overseas but my eventual aim is to play for the Fiji Bati in the 2013 Rugby League World Cup.
"For that I would need to be part of the Fiji Residents side this year so I am concentrating on being selected into the side by giving my best performance on Saturday.
"If I get selected in the Lautoka under-20 side, I will have to perform even better in the Inter-Zone competition next week and from there try and get selected in the Western team and then get selected in the Fiji Residents."
The Lautoka Central College student said it would not be an easy journey but it was something he was willing to do.
The Island Electric sponsored Crushers side meets the Steelers at 12noon at Buckhurst Park in Suva today.