Rugby league was only formally introduced to the Pacific island of Fiji in 1992 and, whilst rugby union is considered to be the national sport, the game has enjoyed considerable growth amongst the islanders in recent years.

The standard of the Fijian domestic competition, a twelve team affair known as the Vodafone Championship Cup, continues to improve and the signing of a three year sponsorship deal with Vodafone suggests that the future of rugby league in Fiji is bright.

The national team, nicknamed the Bati, is currently ranked sixth in the world by the RLIF and the sports governing body have ambitious plans to challenge their rugby union counterparts in terms of popularity and participation.

Whilst their attempts to convince world class prop Petero Civoniceva to represent his homeland look to have failed, Fiji should still be able to call on a host of players with Super League and NRL experience. In fact, the Bati may look set to include two of the NRL's brightest prospects in their squad, in the form of Aaron Groom and Akuila Uate.

Groom recently joined the Bulldogs having spent time with Manly and this 20 year old half back is highly rated by the Canterbury coaching staff and is expected to make his senior debut in 2008. Uate meanwhile is contracted to the Newcastle Knights and has been singled out as a player to watch in the coming months, however as a player who can supposedly run 100 metres in ten seconds you'll need to be quick to catch a glimpse of this talented back!

Fiji's World Cup prospects seem to have been overlooked whilst fellow Pacific nations Samoa and Tonga have been both been singled out as potential dark horses. However, the Bati will be able to name a side packed with power, pace and national pride; a potential recipe for success? Don't bet against it.

Road to the World Cup

Fiji enjoyed a successful qualifying campaign, finishing second in the Pacific group and sealing one of two qualification spots ahead of the more favoured Samoans thanks to their superior points difference . A narrow 30-28 loss to Samoa was followed with a victory over Tonga by the same scoreline, before they comfortably dispatched the Cook Islands 40-4.

Fiji have been pooled with France and Scotland in Group B.

World Cup history

Fiji made their World Cup bow in 1995 and a 52-6 hammering of South Africa in Keighley suggested that they were capable of springing a few surprises. However, two crushing defeats to eventual finalists Australia (66-0) and England (46-0) underlined the gulf in class between the newcomers and more established nations. The Fijians eventually finished third in their group however the manner of their win against South Africa impressed many.

The Fijians made a winning start to their World Cup campiagn in 2000 too, courtesy of a 38-12 victory against Russia in Barrow. Unfortunately, they were once again pitted against the might of both Australia and England. Fiji were on the receiving end of two heavy defeats once more, losing 66-8 to Australia and 66-4 to England. However, the Fijians open style of attacking rugby earned them plenty of plaudits and the performances of flying winger Lote Tuqiri, then of the Brisbane Broncos, established him as a truly world class player.

Head Coach

Fiji will be hoping that former international winger and one time Penrith Panthers player Joe Dakuitoga, also known as Joe Rabele, can inspire his compatriots to success in Australia. The Fijian-born coach was appointed November 2007and replaced Australian Arthur Kitinas. Dakuitoga may be familiar to some English based supporters, having spent time as a player with Sheffield Eagles.

Players to watch

Newcastle Knights close season signing Wes Naiqama is a player with undoubted talent but his conduct off the filed in recent years has overshadowed his performances for club and country. The 25 year old's celebrity lifestyle means he is a regular fixture in gossip columns, although a series of driving offences in recent time has also seen him feature on the front pages far too often. However, an impressive start to his Knights career suggests Naiqama may finally be about to realise his potential.

The performances of London Skolars duo Namila Davui and Puna Rasaubele will be of interest to followers of the English game. The pair, who joined the Skolars this year, are firmly established as key members of the Bati squad and have both made a bright start to their careers in National League Two. Utility back Davui has NRL experience with Cantberbury Bulldogs whilst prop forward Rasaubele is a tough customer who will represent Fiji in boxing at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi.