Bulldogs forward Viliame Kikau, Eels winger Maika Sivo, Panthers premiership winner Sunia Turuva and Storm prop Tui Kamikamica are among the big-name stars aiming to help Fiji win promotion to the Pacific Cup.
Kikau, Sivo, Turuva and Kamikamica were named in the Bati squad for the upcoming Pacific Championships, which begin with Australia facing Tonga in Brisbane on October 18 and Fiji hosting PNG on October 19.
The Bati were beaten by the Kumuls in the final of last year's Pacific Bowl but a new format will see Fiji, PNG and Cook Islands play each other before the top team takes on the third placed Pacific Cup team in a promotion-relegation play-off.
The winner of that match will then play in the Pacific Cup in 2025, with the loser to play in the Pacific Bowl.Â
The Bati squad will be boosted by the return of Kikau, who captained the team at the last World Cup in 2022, along with veteran playmaker Kevin Naiqama.
Kamikamica took over the captaincy for last year's Pacific Bowl in Papua New Guinea.
The Bati squad also includes Dolphins halfback Kurt Donoghoe, Rabbitohs centre Taane Milne, Cowboys back Semi Valemei, and emerging NRL forwards Caleb Navale (Sea Eagles) and Kitione Kautoga (Bulldogs).
Former Eels star Waqa Blake has also been named, along with Naiqama and Roosters veteran Michael Jennings.
Jennings has previously played for Australia and Tonga but qualifies for Fiji as he has a paternal grandparent born in Rotuma.
He rejected approaches from the Bati at the 2017 World Cup to play for Tonga but has made himself available for Fiji before retiring.
Meanwhile, the Fiji Bulikula team to meet Cook Islands in a World Cup qualifying match on October 26 is headlined by Wests Tigers halfback Losana Lutu, Sharks pair Talei Holmes and Cassie Staples and Raiders playmaker Sereana Naitokatoka.
The winner of the match between Fiji and Cook Islands will play the victor of the November 19 clash between Samoa and Tonga in Fiji in a play-off in Auckland on November 3 for the seventh women's berth at the 2026 World Cup.
The runner-up will qualify for the 2025 World Series and a second chance to gain entry to the World Cup. Â
Fiji Bati
Sunia Turuva - Penrith Panthers / Wests TigersÂ
Semi Valemei - North Queensland Cowboys
Maika Sivo - Parramatta EelsÂ
Taane Milne - South Sydney RabbitohsÂ
Jethro Rinakama - Canterbury Bulldogs
Michael Jennings - Sydney RoostersÂ
Kevin Naiqama - Huddersfield Giants
Waqa Blake - St Helens Saints
Kurt Donoghoe - Dolphins
Caleb Navale - Manly Sea Eagles
Kitione Kautoga - Canterbury Bulldogs
Viliame Kikau - Canterbury Bulldogs
Tui Kamikamica - Melbourne Storm
Jordan Miller - Wests Tigers
Nathan Kegg-Smith - Brisbane Tigers
Kylan Mafoa - Manly Sea Eagles
Ben Nakubuwai - Leigh Leopards
Peni Tagituimua - Canterbury Bulldogs
Joe Lovodua - Doncaster Dons
James Valevatu - Wests Tigers
Bayleigh Bentley-Hape - South Sydney Rabbitohs
Head coach: Waisake Kativerata
Fiji Bulikula
Talei Holmes – Cronulla Sharks
Vitalina Naikore – North Queensland Cowboys
Teaghan Hartigan – Currumbin Eagles
Cassandra Staples – Cronulla Sharks
Sereana Naitokatoka – Canberra Raiders
Abigayle Sekitoga - Canterbury Bulldogs
Ema Rainima - South Sydney Rabbitohs
Luisa Yaranamua - Canterbury Bulldogs
Sienna Laing – Burleigh Bears
Latisha Smythe - Canterbury Bulldogs
Aliti Namoce - Parramatta Eels
Losana Lutu – Wests Tigers
Rusila Camaibure - Victoria RL
Taina Naividi – Sydney Roosters
Anastasia Shum - South Sydney Rabbitohs
Sereana Maragi - Yasawa Saints
Asenaca Diranuve - Police SharksÂ
Ateca Naicaucauceva - Police Sharks
Mere Kilawerkana - USP Raiders
Ilisapeci Bari - Canterbury Bulldogs
Nanise Vakacavu - Canterbury Bulldogs
Head coach: Josaia Dakuitoga
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