Fiji Bati Halfback, Brandon Wakeham stated that the Bati team were looking forward to their game against the PNG LNG Kumuls this Sunday, the 29th of October, 2023. Wakeham said that they were well aware of what the Kumuls brought every year to the Pacific Champs and were planning to match their efforts for competitiveness with hopes to get the win. “We know what the Kumuls bring every year.” “They’re all strong and aggressive so I think we’re going to match that to be competitive and get the win.” Wakeham recalls the competitiveness of the Cook Island team last weekend and mentioned that he was in fact nervous when the Aitu’s were in the lead. “They [Cook Island Aitu] came out firing and I was a bit nervous there towards the end of the game when they got in front but kudos to our boys, we just stuck to what we knew and came out with the win.” He revealed that playing the Cooks had given everyone confidence, especially their debutants as most of them were pretty young and made their debut at the game on Sunday. “I thought they did really well, especially Caleb Navale. I thought he was pretty strong for the middle with his quick play the balls. We need that again from him and the rest of the boys as well to hopefully get the win.” He explained that he had two training sessions last week to work on his combination play with Kurt Donoghue and stated that today’s session felt much better than last week. “I think every day at training, we keep getting better and if we keep it that way, it’s going to go a long way for us.” On the topic of Captain Tui Kamikamica, Wakeham told PNG HAUSBUNG that Tui was a very good leader and a role model and guide to the younger boys. “Tui is a very good leader, all the boys when he talks, we listen.” “He doesn’t talk much but when he does, we all listen and follow his actions on the field.” “He’s been a huge bonus for the younger boys sort of guiding them through, they’re asking him questions at training and he’s helping them a lot.” Brandon also thought that his team mate and fullback, Jahream Bula although a quiet and humble kid, was a freak in the field and a force to be reckoned with as he does his job in the field. “Bula’s a freak as everyone realized. He’s still fresh in the game. I just feel like every game he gets better and if we can get him the ball a lot more this weekend, I think he’ll be dangerous.” “Every time he had the ball, it looked dangerous so the more we give him the ball, the more our opponents will be under pressure. “ Meanwhile Wakeham stated that all of their back five had played exceptionally well in las weekend’s game against the Cooks as they came up with good strong runs especially when coming out from their own try line under pressure in the Port Moresby heat as it was a tough spot to come out of. He also added that this was what they’ll need from the boys in the game this weekend against the PNG side. “It’s a tough spot to come out of your try line and these boys are making fare bit of metres and we’re going to need that this week especially against the Kumuls because they’re going to be aggressive, their line speed’s going to be fast and they’re quick play the balls as well.”