Wise Kativerata.

Former Fiji Bati star Waisake Kativerata is officially the Vodafone Fiji Bati full-time coach and the national coaching director.

This was announced by FNRL chairman Aporosa Lutunauga today who says Kativerata will serve in the positions for the next three years.

He takes over the role from former mentor Joe Rabele and assumes the role of national coaching director which has been left vacant following the departure of Brandon Costin in 2020.

“Wise has the capacity and grit to undertake this critical role in the next three year. He is among the few who has NRL High Performance coach level three with the highest success rate in nurturing and developing elite Fijian players for the NRL.”

Lutunauga says three candidates were shortlisted for the position.

Kativerata took over as interim coach during the Rugby League World Cup last year when Rabele had to be hospitalized just two days out from their opening match against Australia.

The Australian-based former Bati rep had mentioned after the World Cup that he is willing to stay on as head coach if given the opportunity.

Kativerata is a respected figure in the Fiji rugby league family after recruiting stars like Sisa Waqa, Semi Radradra, Suliasi Vunivalu, and Semi Valemei to play in the NRL.

His latest recruits were Taniela Sadrugu and Iosefo Masi.