FORMER Fiji Bati rugby league rep Tabua Cakacaka arrived in the country yesterday to be part of the Battle of the Bati clash between New South Wales Country and the Fiji Residents next Wednesday.
Cakacaka, who plys his trade with Gateheads Thunder in England, will feature for the NSW side in a bid to force his way into the Bati team.
The 32-year-old scored one of Fiji’s two tries against the Australian Kangaroos during the 2008 Rugby League World Cup.
Cakacaka represented Fiji in the World 7s in Sydney in 2003 and also captained the Fiji A side to a victory against Malta in 2004. His previous clubs were SM Pia XIII (Elite Championship, France), Newtown Jets (Australia), Canberra Raiders (NRL, Australia), Cootamunda (Australia), South Sydney Rabbitohs (Australia), and Young RL (Australia), Hunslet Hawks (England), where he helped the team become the Championship One winners in the 2010 season.
NSW Country team manager Timoci Vatubuli told Times Sport that Cakacaka would be part of the team.
Other Fijian players like Lasaro Turagadrau, Jone Yacadrau and Jone Sariri are included in the team. NSW Group Nine centre Robie Byatt is also part of the Semesa Cadrakilagi-coached side.
“Most of the players will be arriving this weekend,” Vatubuli said.
The Battle of the Bati will be a trial where Fiji Bati head coach Rick Stone will select his team for the friendly match against Italy next month.
The team will have its first training run at 2pm at Albert Park on Monday.