VODAFONE Fiji Bati newest recruit, Pio Sokobalavu never expected a call to join the side for the Rugby League World Cup however he did not also stop training.
Sokobalavu got his first taste of being part of the team on Thursday at the team’s training session at the Mike Carney Toyota Park in Townsville, Queensland.
The 21-year-old from Totoya, Lau found the going tough but said he expected it.
Sokobalavu replaced Korbin Sims who has been ruled out of the tournament because of an arm injury.
Standing at 1.85m and tipping the scales at 114kg, Sokobalavu has not been named in the 21-member squad released by Fiji for this Sunday’s clash against Wales.
However, he said, he was quite surprised but thankful when he was called up to join the team in Townsville.
“It has been a good journey, I trained hard before the Battle of the Bati.
“It was a good game there, the boys came out tough.
“I didn’t think too much about being selected, I didn’t make the first cut but that didn’t bother me much,” Sokobalavu said.
While he returned to Sydney the night after the Battle of the Bati, Sokobalavu said he continued training.
“I just kept training and just kept thinking that I am young and that I still have a few years to go. “I thought to myself to keep training and pushing myself.
“I am a big believer in God and I believe it’s God’s time calling, it’s his destiny for me.”
Coach Mick Potter took the team on an intensive and longer training session with the temperature hovering around 32 degrees celsius.
