Fiji head coach Rick Stone has named his 19 man squad to play Australia at Wembley Stadium on Saturday
Petero Civoniceva has always represented Fiji - even when he played for Australia. ''I was representing both countries,'' Civoniceva says. ''When I was fortunate enough to be picked for Australia the first time I had that conversation with my parents about how you get to wear the jersey of Australia but you are representing the Fijian culture as well.''
Civoniceva, who has a job with the NRL as a community engagement officer in Brisbane, also intends to remain involved with the Fiji Rugby League. ''On the back of this I think we can really work as hard as possible on the development of the game,'' he says.
''Just to see where the game has gone in Fiji over the last five years, the numbers playing the game now and the interest generated because of players of Fijian heritage playing in the NRL has been amazing and hopefully we are going to produce more players like Akuila Uate, Marika Koroibete or Jarryd Hayne.''
Fiji's James Storer is set to walk out onto the field of one of the world's most iconic sporting venues on Saturday, a million miles away from his day-job as a coal miner in his homeland, when The Bati take on Australia
"Just to be playing alongside the likes of Petero Civoniceva is big enough for me so to step onto the pitch at Wembley is massive," said Storer.
"I don't even play footy much anymore. I am playing for the local team back home but I was fit enough and lucky enough to play well in the trial to come out here. It is unbelievable, it is a great feeling."
"I think this is just stepping stone. To be consistent in these World Cups and to get to these semi-finals is a big step. Rugby League has only been going for 16 years in Fiji, so it is a big positive for us."
"Last time the World Cup was in Australia, so we were closer to home. This is a long way away from home.
Fiji Squad, Peni Botiki, Jayson Bukuya, Petero Civoniceva, Kane Evans, Aaron Groom, Marika Koroibete, Apisai Koroisau, Daryl Millard, Ryan Millard, Kevin Naiqama, Waisale Ligani Naiqama, Vitale Junior Roqica, Ashton Sims, Tariq Sims, James Storer, Akuila Uate, Eloni Vunakece, Sisa Ledua Waqa, Semi Radradra Turagasoli Waqavatu
