Fiji has confirmed its 23-man squad for the Rugby League World Cup with a number of high profile exclusions.
Injuries have robbed the Bati of arguably their two best players in Canterbury Bulldogs second-rower Viliame Kikau and Wests Tigers fullback Jahream Bula.
Meanwhile, the Tigers Fainu brothers – Sione, Samuela and Latu – were all ruled ineligible.
The Bati have been able to name the likes of Waqa Blake, Kurt Donoghoe, Kitione Kautoga, Josese Lanyon, Taane Milne, Jacob Saifiti, Solomone Saukuru, Sunia Turuva, Semi Valemei and Brandon Wakeham with NRL experience in a squad that will be captained by star dummy half Apisai Koroisau.
Blake, Milne and Valemei all spent 2026 in the English Super League after leaving the NRL.
The Fijians have a number of exciting young prospects in their squad, with a forward pack who will aim to take it up to big name opposition.
Fiji opens its tournament on October 18 in Newcastle against the Cook Islands, before clashing with New Zealand and Australia.
The top two teams in Group A will proceed to the semi-finals, meaning Fiji will need to both beat the Cook Islands and find an upset somewhere else to advance.
Fiji’s squad for 2026 Rugby League World Cup
Bayleigh Bentley-Hape (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
Waqa Blake (Bradford Bulls)
Kurt Donoghoe (The Dolphins)
Apenisa Driti (Northern Pride)
Kitione Kautoga (Parramatta Eels)
Elijah Keung (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
Apisai Koroisau (Wests Tigers)
Josese Lanyon (Wests Tigers)
Jordan Leiu (Norths Devils)
Joseph Litidamu (Melbourne Storm)
Kylan Mafoa (Manly Sea Eagles)
Taane Milne (Huddersfield Giants)
Caleb Navale (Manly Sea Eagles)
Jimmy Ngutlik (Mackay Cutters)
Ronaldo Philitoga (North Queensland Cowboys)
Mitchell Prest (Mackay Cutters)
Emosi Ravosai (New Zealand Warriors)
Jacob Saifiti (Newcastle Knights)
Solomone Saukuru (Wests Tigers)
Sunia Turuva (Wests Tigers)
Semi Valemei (Castleford Tigers)
Brandon Wakeham (Manly Sea Eagles)
Jordan Miller (Parramatta Eels)