As Fiji officials gather documentation to ensure the Fainu brothers, Samuela, Sione and Latu, can play for the Bati in the World Cup, new coach Mick Potter declared: "We're going there to win".

With a 40-man squad - including Mark Nawaqanitawase - submitted to the FNRL board, behind the scenes work has begun on returning the Bati to the semi-finals or beyond after they bowed out in the quarter-finals against New Zealand at the last World Cup in England.

Potter oversaw Fiji's greatest win when they eliminated the Kiwis in 2017 to reach the semi-finals of a third consecutive World Cup and only a late Joey Manu try denied them repeating the feat at Hull in 2022.

The Bati begin their World Cup campaign against Cook Islands in Newcastle on October 18, before meeting the Kangaroos at Suncorp Stadium on October 25 and the Kiwis at Cbus Super Stadium on October 31.

“I know it’s potentially pie in the sky - but you’re going in there to win it!” Potter said.

“We’re going there to win! First of all we want to get in the semi-finals, then get in the final - and win the final.

“There’s three games. You’ve got to win at least two of them to get in the semis. And then it’s just a matter of winning two more games. How hard can it be? It’s only 80 minutes each!

“Seriously, obviously it will be difficult, but we’re not going in just to make up the numbers. We want to do something and every game’s a two-horse race, isn’t it? There’s a possibility you can lose but there’s also a 50 percent chance you can win.”

Photo: Former Bati captain Kevin Naiqama will join the coaching staff under his 2017 mentor Mick Potter. @SWPix

The Bati have been preparing for the World Cup by blooding a crop of young talent in the Pacific Championships, including Dolphins utility Kurt Donoghoe, Eels secondrower Kitione Kautoga, Sea Eagles forward Caleb Navale and Bulldogs winger Jethro Rinikama.

Potter is also keen to have the Fainu brothers join the squad, along with Nawaqanitawase, whose father Sevuloni moved from Fiji in 1991 to play for Balmain Tigers.

"There's three players at Wests Tigers whose grandmother is Fijian - and that's the Fainu boys," Potter said.

"We're trying to get that over the line. They're just trying to get the documentation right.

"Like I say, the grandmother's Fijian but finding records of that is difficult. It seems to be common knowledge but nothing's happened yet. I'm very hopeful. They'd be great players to be playing for Fiji.

"There is a young hooker (at Wests Tigers) as well, Josese Lanyon. He stepped in for Api Koroisau. He's available, he's in the squad."

With Jahream Bula, Sunia Turuva, Koroisau and Lanyon eligible for Fiji, Wests Tigers could have seven members of the Bati squad if the Fainu brothers receive the green light to play.

Photo: The Fainu brothers, Sione, Samuela and Latu, celebrate their Fijian and Tongan heritage during Wests Tigers Round 19 Pasifika match against the Warriors. @NRL Photos

Potter said he remained hopeful Nawaqanitawase would also represent his father's homeland.

He said Super League players - along with former Kangaroos prop Reagan Campbell-Gillard from the Championship - were among others under strong consideration for selection at the start of October.

"There's no overarching philosophy but players in the Super League need to be considered," said Potter, who oversaw Fiji's elimination of New Zealand in the 2017 World Cup.

"Again, we're so bulked up with wingers. We lack in a couple of positions and we need to fill those with someone."

Leeds star Maika Sivo, who is in contention for Super League's Man of Steel award, would seem a certainty. Huddersfield's Taane Milne and Castleford's Semi Valemei, Mikaele Ravalawa and Jason Qareqare are four more candidates while Potter namechecked Bradford's Waqa Blake.

The former NRL and Super League mentor, who will lead a coaching and management team boasting more than 700 first grade appearances, is unsure of the availability of Bati captain Tui Kamikamica after he suffered a stroke in March and a training setback in June.

"I'm pretty sure Api Koroisau and Viliame Kikau will be a couple of our leaders," he said.

Potter, a two-time Dally M Medallist in 1984 with Canterbury and 1991 with St George, will be joined by assistant coaches Jarryd Hayne (223), Wes Naiqama (127), Kevin Naiqama (122) and team manager Luke Goodwin (33) for a campaign that begins in Newcastle on October 18 against Cook Islands.

“Jarryd Hayne, he’s very good with the Fijian players,” said Potter, who played 214 regular season and finals Premiership games and enjoyed coaching success with Catalans, St Helens and Bradford before stints with Wests Tigers and the Bulldogs.

“When you talk with him face-to-face, he’s so knowledgeable with his rugby league and people in rugby league circles respect his ability and understanding of the game.

“He’s quicker in the mind like he was quicker on the field. On the field he was one step ahead.

“I’ve got the two Naiqamas, Wes and Kevin. They’re lovely people and they’re so dedicated and into looking after Fiji. They’re on staff, they’ll be doing different things. We’re trying to multi-skill people because of the limitations we’ve got on us. Luke Goodwin, he’s the team manager. He’s first class.”

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