Prime Minister’s XIII spreading the rugby league word ahead of Fiji clash
As the Prime Minister’s XIII prepares to take on Fiji, some of the NRL’s biggest stars have been committed to spreading the rugby league word to one of the game’s outposts.
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Mitch Moses and Jake Trbojevic are here to spread the word about further growing rugby league in the Pacific ahead of Friday’s Prime Minister’s XIII game against Fiji in Suva.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison will land in Fiji on Friday morning to attend the match, which has been switched to Suva after nearly a decade in Papua New Guinea.
“We have been going to Papua New Guinea for the last few years which has been great but coming here, it’s about spreading the word,” Manly forward Trbojevic said.
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“We want to build and grow the game. That’s what Mal (Meninga, coach) is big on, especially with the emergence of guys like (Maika) Sivo and (Suliasi) Vunivalu.
“Fiji is really getting into rugby league. Everyone has been really excited to see us, the kava, the Fijian dancing. They are all great people here.
“To get to experience a different culture is awesome and to get over to places like this is a great part of footy. I love being in these teams with a guy like Mal as coach and all the great players. It really is exciting.”
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The PM’s team has prepared well while also experiencing the finest of Fiji’s culture in Nadi and Suva.
Meninga’s side has enjoyed some wonderful resort accommodation and police escorts.
“Coming to places like Fiji is one of the big benefits of playing rugby league. You like to try and get out of Sydney as much as possible and preach the game,” Parramatta halfback Moses said.
“We gave such good Fijian players in the NRL so it’s good to come play some locals and see what they’ve got. Anytime you can play footy outside of Australia and New Zealand is a good experience.
“You come here and see how the game means to Fijians when they come and watch us play so hopefully we can put on a bit of a show.”
Moses has played with some of Fiji’s finest and hopes to spot the next Sivo tonight.
“I’ve played with Semi (Radradra), Maika Sivo and Marika Koroibete so I know how nice and genuine Fijian people are and how they genuinely care about you,” Moses said.
“It’s good to come here and see how they go about their life every day.
“I might be on the scout for Brad (Arthur, Eels coach) while we’re here. We picked up a very good Fijian this year in Marika and hopefully there plenty more like Maika when we play on Friday night.
“It would be great if we saw more of them. Hopefully they will start flooding into the NRL.”