The Fiji Bati's stocks have been bolstered with the news of Wests Tigers pair Samuela and Sione Fainu declaring their allegiance to Fiji for the upcoming Pacific Championships.

The Fainu brothers who are Tongan by descent, qualify for Fiji through their grandmother who is from Lau.

Their other sibling Sione was unavailable through injury.

The Roosters have suffered a major blow with star winger Mark Nawaqanitawase reportedly informing the club he will leave at the end of 2026 to chase his dream of playing for the Wallabies at the 2027 Rugby World Cup.

The 25-year-old, one of the Tricolours’ best in his debut NRL season after joining post-Paris Olympics, has reportedly turned down a $700,000-a-year offer to instead pursue a $1 million deal in European rugby.

“We were given an indication weeks ago that Mark wanted to go back to rugby union and we respected his wishes. However we are extremely confident he will return to the Roosters after the Rugby World Cup,” a club official told News Corp.

Former Fiji Bati second rower Tariq Sims has announced his retirement from rugby league after a 14-year professional career. In an emotional Instagram post, he thanked those who supported him along the way.

“As I close this chapter of my career, I want to take a moment to thank the people who made it possible,” Sims wrote.

He paid special tribute to his wife, Ashleigh:
“To my wife Ashleigh, thank you for your endless love, patience, and support through every high and low. This crazy journey wouldn’t have been possible without your strength behind me and encouragement to keep pushing when I didn’t think I could find it in myself to keep going.”

His career started back in 2011 with the North Queensland Cowboys where he remained until 2014 before a 2 year stint with Newcastle, 7 years with the Dragons and then the Storm before finishing off his career in the Super League with Catalans.

He represented the Bati at the 2013 RLWC and played 6 Origin matches for NSW from 2018-2022.

Mark Nawaqanitawase may not have qualified for the Dally M Rookie of the Year, but the Roosters flyer has still been recognised by his peers, taking out the RLPA Rookie of the Year award for 2025.

In his first full NRL season, the 25-year-old lit up the competition with 24 tries in 23 games and 119 tackle breaks, helping the Roosters reach the finals. His standout performances also put him in line for a Kangaroos debut.

RLPA boss Clint Newton praised his impact, saying:
"Mark has had a fantastic season and there is no higher recognition than that of the players you compete against week in, week out. His transition from rugby union has been nothing short of impressive, and our members have recognised his superior performances."

League great Paul Gallen added: “Well done Marky Mark – he thoroughly deserves it.”

Nawaqanitawase beat out nominees Leka Halasima, Robert Toia, Isaiah Iongi and Savelio Tamale for the award.

Semi Valemei scored his 2nd double in as many games for the Cowboys in their final match of the season.

Down 12-0 early and down a man, the Cowboys still managed to create an overlap for Valemei to cross for their first try of the night.

He later took an intercept to run the best part of 50 metres to bring his side level 7 minutes into the second half.

The Broncos however would score 3 more tries to the Cowboys 1, giving them a 38-30 win.

North Queensland finish the season in a disappointing 14th position.

Mark Nawaqanitawase turned it all the way up as his side torched the 2nd-placed Melbourne Storm in a 40-10 demolition.

The flying winger lit up the park with a freakish stat sheet: 20 carries for 173 metres, 4 tries, 4 linebreaks and 6 tackle busts. It was vintage “Marky Mark” – unstoppable with ball in hand, carving holes at will and reminding everyone why he’s firmly in the Kangaroos conversation.

He’s now right on the doorstep of the Ken Irvine Medal as the NRL’s leading try-scorer. And the script couldn’t be better – one round left, arch-rival Rabbitohs up next, with finals on the line.

A win there not only locks up a top-8 spot but caps off what’s been a breakout year for Nawaqanitawase

Bulldogs second rower Viliame Kikau scored his 50th NRL try on Friday night.

Coming off a heavy loss to the Roosters, the visitors had a point to prove and it didn't look promising early on but they eventually fought their way back into the game, losing only by a converted try in the end 14-20.

Kikau scored in the 56th minute after receiving an offload from Marcelo Montoya who was making his return from a neck injury.

The Bulldogs powered past the Warriors 32–14 in yesterday’s top-four clash, with Viliame Kikau crashing over from close range in the 21st minute to get the ball rolling.

Rookie winger Jethro Rinakama kept the momentum flowing, capping off a slick backline move from the home side to slide over in the left corner — taking his tally to three tries in just five career matches.

The Roosters caught fire in Brisbane last night, running riot against a helpless Dolphins outfit.

Winger Mark Nawaqanitawase opened the scoring in the 4th minute with a trademark leap, before crossing again just four minutes later.

He completed his hat-trick with another towering grab, outjumping the defence and running it in untouched.

It was a fiery contest, but the Roosters proved far too strong, cruising to a 64–12 victory.

In the same match, Siua Wong’s night ended early after being knocked out cold in the 11th minute by fellow Fiji Bati representative Kurt Donoghoe.

Melbourne Storm Prop Tui Kamikamica scored his first try of the season when he ran onto a beautifully timed Harry Grant pass in the 33rd minute of their 16-10 win in Parramatta.

The Taveuni native ran a great line and went over untouched. The Storm move into 2nd for the time being with the Bulldogs yet to play.

The match remained close and the Storm's 69th minute try through Xavier Coates was enough to get them the 2 points without their star halfback Jahrome Hughes.

Jethro Rinakama scored in the winning try for the Bulldogs in the 77th minute of their 20-18 win over the St George Illawarra Dragons last night.

The 19 year old, only in his 2nd first grade game now has 2 tries in 2 matches.

It was halfback Lachlin Galvin who set up the try with a lovely looping pass over the opposition winger to find Rinakama who ran in untouched.

Apart from his try he made 199 metres from 22 carries with 74 post contact metres.

The Parramatta Eels were off to a flyer against the Panthers in their round 19 local derby. Second Rower Kitione Kautoga scored the opening try in the 14th minute, running a straight, flat line through the Penrith defence to go in untouched.

The Panthers dominated the rest of the game, eventually winning 32-10.

It's Kautoga's 2nd try for the club.

Jethro Rinakama made his NRL debut for the Bulldogs last night against the Cowboys in Townsville. He was on the end of a linebreak in the 39th minute to score the try that would ultimately be the difference in the Bulldogs 12-8 win over the Cowboys.

The 20 year old Winger has been impressive in reserve grade, scoring 11 tries in his first 12 matches.

21 Carries for 183 metres, 57 post contact metres, 3 tackle breaks and a big hit on his first outing!

Kurt Donoghoe ran 90 metres after taking an intercept on his 10 metre line to score and give the Dolphins a chance of hitting 50 points against the South Sydney Rabbitohs on Friday night.

The Fiji Bati representative started at Lock and played the full 80 minutes. His try the cherry on top of a big shift for the Dolphins who won the game 50-28 and move back into 80th position.

Mark Nawaqanitawase scored 2 tries in the Roosters big win over the Cowboys 42-8 on Sunday. The former Wallaby took an intercept in the 30th minute to race away while the 2nd came after some great lead-up play.

He made the most metres for his side with 245 from 25 runs, 45 post contact metres and 8 tackle breaks. He now has 12 tries in 13 appearances and the Rookie of the year tag is starting to do the rounds.

The Dolphins recorded their biggest win of the season, smashing the helpless Cowboys 58-6. Lock Kurt Donoghoe scored a try in the 39th minute. This comes a week after a 56-6 win over the Dragons.

The Roosters jumped 3 places and back into the top 8 into 7th spot after beating the Knights at home. Siua Wong scored his first try of the season in the 70th minute when he chased through a grubber kick. His 4 pointer put the visitors in the lead for the first time in the game and would ultimately prove the difference.