nib Newcastle Knights forward Jacob Saifiti will have to get used to not playing alongside his brother Daniel for the upcoming World Cup.
Sidelined with a shoulder injury, Daniel will be cheering his brother and country on from the sidelines.
“It's probably going to be the longest we’ve ever been apart,” Jacob told Knights TV before he jetted off to Fiji on the weekend.
“I'm gone for about eight weeks, so it will be pretty weird and in a footy sense, it is going to be different because we don’t really play apart that much.”
Jacob has been selected in the Fiji Bati squad for the World Cup starting in late October, but has already linked up with the team to take on Australia and Papua New Guinea in Fiji.
"That will be a good test for us leading into the World Cup,” commented Saifiti.
“It's like a trial series and going to be one of the biggest games in Fiji in a while.
“It's exciting for the people over there because they get to watch people like Cameron Smith live, which they haven’t experienced before so it is good for rugby league in general.”
The Saifiti twin says he's also looking forward to competing against the best in the world.
“It brings the best out in anyone going up against the best in the world,” he explained.
“Not only will it bring the best out in me, but also our team and I don’t think it could have been a better stepping stone leading into the World Cup.
“I'm excited to get into camp and get together with the boys again because it was an exciting time in May when I played in the test.
The 21-year-old maintains the hype in Fiji will be something to remember.
“Fijian rugby league and rugby is very important over there,” added Jacob.
“They look up to us so we don’t take that for granted and anything we can give back to the Fijian community, we do.”
And as a player, Jacob is thankful for the experience to represent his country at an elite level.
“Any experience whether it is in Fiji or Australia is great,” he said.
“I'll get solid experience coming back from the World Cup, which I can use coming back into pre-season.”
All the Details:
Overseas Bati v Fiji Residents
When: October 7
Where: ANZ National Stadium, Laucala Bay, Suva, Fiji
World Cup trial
Bati v Kangaroos v Kumuls
When: October 14
Where: ANZ National Stadium, Laucala Bay, Suva, Fiji
World Cup – first game
Fiji v USA
When: October 28
Where: Townsville Stadium
World Cup – second game
Fiji v Wales
When: November 5
Where: Townsville Stadium
World Cup – third game
Fiji v Italy
When: November 10
Where: Townsville Stadium
