Qareqare in Fiji World Cup squad

Castleford Tigers’ 18-year-old outside back Jason Qareqare has been named in the initial 33-man star-studded Fiji Bati squad for the Rugby League World Cup 2021!

The delayed Rugby League World Cup promises to be the most inclusive ever with the men’s, women’s and wheelchair tournaments taking place together, with all 61 games taking place across England between October 15th and 19th November.

Jason Qareqare has come through the youth development systems here at the Tigers and has very quickly shown his quality at the Super League level.

The former Kippax Welfare junior scored one of the competition’s most memorable tries on his top-flight debut, inside a minute, and has kicked on this season too gaining more valuable match minutes. So far, Jason has made eleven appearances in Cas colours, scoring eight tries, and has committed his future for the next two years to the Fords after signing a contract extension.

Fiji will take on England in a warm-up match on October 7th, before facing the World Cup holders Australia in Leeds, then they will have two matches in Newcastle against Scotland and Italy in Group B of the competition.

Fellow Super League talent named in the 33-man squad list, which will be reduced to 24 before the World Cup commences, include: Hull KR’s Korbin Sims, Hull FC’s Joe Lovodua, and Salford’s King Vuniyayawa. A whole host of NRL talent makes up the majority of the squad with Penrith Panthers pair Api Koroisau and Viliame Kikau, as well as Parramatta Eels’ Maika Sivo, Reagan Campbell-Gillard and Waqa Blake as some of the biggest names in this international team.

The Bati will be based in Rochdale and begin their preparations for the World Cup with a warm-up match against hosts England at Salford on October 7.

Fiji Bati squad:

• Waqa Blake (Parramatta Eels)
• Reagan Campbell-Gillard (Parramatta Eels)
• Tui Kamikamica (Melbourne Storm)
• Vuate Karawalevu (Sydney Roosters)
• Viliame Kikau (Penrith Panthers)
• Apisai Koroisau (Penrith Panthers)
• Lamar Manuel Liolevave (Tweed Seagulls)
• Joe Lovodua (Hull FC)
• Isaac Lumelume (Canterbury Bulldogs)
• Netane Masima (Wests Magpies)
• Laitia Moceidreke (North Queensland Cowboys)
• Sitiveni Moceidreke (London Broncos)  
• Taane Milne (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
• Marcelo Montoya (New Zealand Warriors)
• Kevin Naiqama (Sydney Roosters)
• Ben Nakubuwai (Leigh Centurions)
• Jason Qareqare (Castleford Tigers)
• Mikaele Ravalawa (St George Illawarra Dragons)
• Taniela Sadrugu (North Queensland Cowboys)
• Daniel Saifiti (Newcastle Knights)
• Jacob Saifiti (Newcastle Knights)
• Pio Seci (Manly Sea Eagles)
• Korbin Sims (Hull FC)
• Tariq Sims (St George Illawarra Dragons)
• Maika Sivo (Parramatta Eels)
• Penioni Tagituimua (Canterbury Bulldogs)
• Sunia Turuva (Penrith Panthers)
• Joseph Vakacereivalu (Redcliffe Dolphins)
• Semi Valemei (Canberra Raiders)
• King Vuniyayawa (Salford Red Devils)
• Ratu Inoke Vasuturaga (Kinoya Eagles)
• Brandon Wakeham (Canterbury Bulldogs)
• Siua Wong (Sydney Roosters)