Rabele is new Fiji Bati Coach

Josaia Rabele is once again the Head Coach of the Vodafone Fiji Bati and will lead the side to the Rugby League World Cup in England in October next year.

Rabele takes over from Brandon Costin who resigned last Monday due to personal reasons.

Costin was Fiji Bati Head Coach and FNRL National Coaching Director for over a year.

Rabele is not new to the role as he was the Head Coach of the Fiji Bati team to the 2008 Rugby League World Cup.

That 2008 Fiji Bati team which included players like Jarryd Hayne, Akuila Uate and Jason Bukuya made history and reached the semifinals.

Rabele is the only Level 3 NRL accredited coach in Fiji.

He was also Assistant Fiji Bati Coach to the 2013 and 2017 Rugby League World Cups.

Rabele has also been a Senior Development Officer for FNRL.

He says the first thing he will do is set up a meeting with the coaching staff and set a plan for this year and the Rugby League World Cup.

Rabele will be assisted by two Assistant Coaches.

They are former Fiji Bati Captain and current Kaiviti Silktails Coach Wes Naiqama and Joe Saukuru who is currently coaching the Canterbury Bulldogs Under 18 team in the New South Wales S.G Ball competition.

The S.G Ball competition is the junior rugby league competition in New South Wales.

Steve Driscoll is the Fiji Bati Strength and Conditioning Coach.

Driscoll is currently the Strength and Conditioning Coach for the Sydney Roosters and also the Acting CEO for Silktails.

FNRL Chairman Viliame Naupoto says they are working hard to remunerate Rabele accordingly.

Fiji is pooled with Australia, Italy and Scotland in the Rugby League World Cup next year.