Post by jim on Jul 10, 2008 23:18:33 GMT 10
From FijiLive
Stretcher' Satala for League switch
July 09, 2008 Hard hitting former Fiji test rugby centre three quarter and sevens exponent Viliame Satala has been tipped to make the switch to Rugby League.
This is after the man dubbed as the ‘stretcher’ in international rugby circles for his bone crunching tackles opted to attend the last set of trials to the upcoming Rugby League World Cup in October.
Satala, who was tagged as one of the best outside centres at the 1999 Rugby World Cup, has heeded the call of the Fiji National Rugby League officials and has agreed to try out for a spot in the Fiji Bati side to the World Championship in Australia.
While this could be another giant step to his playing career, FNRL administrator Rusiate Ratakele said that they have given Satala a chance to attend the last set of trials on September 23 which could see the reputable star in the Fiji Bati jumper.
“He (Satala) has a lot of potential as he played in the 1999 Rugby World Cup and 2005 Sevens World Cup in Hong Kong. He has a lot of experience playing in the international scene and really shown interest to try for a spot in the Fiji Bati side. We have given him a players’ eligibility declaration form and we’re expecting him in the last set of trials in September,” Ratakele said.
FNRL will also be extending their invitation to other union players who are likely prospects and Ratakele said that this should keep the FNRL players on their toes.
“We’ll be out scouting for union players and any player found to be impressive will be invited to our last set of trials. This should provide a lot of competition for the final squad and it should motivate the league players to work hard for a spot in the Fiji Bati side.”
Satala has been Fiji’s trump card and tremendously strong with big sidestep, he became Fiji’s favourite backline players since he scored two tries for the Fiji Warriors against the Super 12 Chief in February in 1999.
He also played at the 1994 Hong Kong 7s, but got overlooked at the 15s until the tour of UK in late 1998.
Satala also captained the Lautoka Rugby team for several years and then signed on for French club side Mont-de-Marsan in October 1999 before joining NEC Harlequins in London.
Stretcher' Satala for League switch
July 09, 2008 Hard hitting former Fiji test rugby centre three quarter and sevens exponent Viliame Satala has been tipped to make the switch to Rugby League.
This is after the man dubbed as the ‘stretcher’ in international rugby circles for his bone crunching tackles opted to attend the last set of trials to the upcoming Rugby League World Cup in October.
Satala, who was tagged as one of the best outside centres at the 1999 Rugby World Cup, has heeded the call of the Fiji National Rugby League officials and has agreed to try out for a spot in the Fiji Bati side to the World Championship in Australia.
While this could be another giant step to his playing career, FNRL administrator Rusiate Ratakele said that they have given Satala a chance to attend the last set of trials on September 23 which could see the reputable star in the Fiji Bati jumper.
“He (Satala) has a lot of potential as he played in the 1999 Rugby World Cup and 2005 Sevens World Cup in Hong Kong. He has a lot of experience playing in the international scene and really shown interest to try for a spot in the Fiji Bati side. We have given him a players’ eligibility declaration form and we’re expecting him in the last set of trials in September,” Ratakele said.
FNRL will also be extending their invitation to other union players who are likely prospects and Ratakele said that this should keep the FNRL players on their toes.
“We’ll be out scouting for union players and any player found to be impressive will be invited to our last set of trials. This should provide a lot of competition for the final squad and it should motivate the league players to work hard for a spot in the Fiji Bati side.”
Satala has been Fiji’s trump card and tremendously strong with big sidestep, he became Fiji’s favourite backline players since he scored two tries for the Fiji Warriors against the Super 12 Chief in February in 1999.
He also played at the 1994 Hong Kong 7s, but got overlooked at the 15s until the tour of UK in late 1998.
Satala also captained the Lautoka Rugby team for several years and then signed on for French club side Mont-de-Marsan in October 1999 before joining NEC Harlequins in London.
I have one question, how old is he?
