Viliame Kikau and other Bati stars remain hopeful that inspirational captain Tui Kamikamica will be cleared to lead Fiji at Rugby League World Cup 2026, while secondrower Caleb Navale is also set to play after making a record recovery from an ACL injury.

Kamikamica has not played since the Storm’s Round 4 NRL match against the Cowboys on March 28 after suffering a stroke that left him left him temporarily unable to speak or move.

The Fijian prop underwent brain and heart surgery but he has recovered and is currently touring the Papua New Guinea Highlands with former Storm team-mate and Kumuls great Justin Olam.

Kamikamica initially hoped to be back mid-season but suffered a set-back and has not played match this year.

However, the 32-year-old is still aiming to play at the World Cup and Navale is set to join him after being named to play for Manly’s NSW Cup team just six months after rupturing his ACL at pre-season training on February 11.

Kikau said Bati players are hoping for the chance to play alongside Kamikamica in Fiji’s matches against Cook Islands in Newcastle on October 18, Australia in Townsville on October 25 and New Zealand on Gold Coast on October 31.

Photo: Viliame Kikau is one of the Bati's leaaders. @NRL Photos

“He means a lot, he's captained the side and if he plays he’s probably going to be the captain again,” said KIkau, the Bulldogs secondrower.

“The boys love how he leads - he leads with his actions - and he's one of probably only two or three of us who were born and bred and raised in Fiji and didn’t come to Australia until we were 18 or 19.

“It is obviously unfortunate what happened to him this year but if he is fit and ready I’d love to see him play at the World Cup.”

Hooker Api Koroisau, who is one of up to seven players with Fijian heritage, told Nine’s Freddy and the Eighth show: “There is a chance that Tui might play at the end of the year and Caleb Navale as well. He is coming back from an ACL in record time so we’re very excited”.

Wests Tigers team-mates Sunia Turuva and Jahream Bula said the Bati players remain in close contact during the season and were in shock when they learned that Kamikamica had suffered a stroke.

Photo: Viliame Kikau hopes to again play alongside his good friend Tui Kamikamica at the World Cup. @NRL Photos

“He is our skipper and I remember as soon as it happened, Jahream was the first person I called,” Turuva said.

“It is obviously unfortunate what happened to him and just to see what he went through, it would have been pretty crazy for his partner and his kid as well.

“He is definitely our leader, and we have a couple of big dogs there with Api and Kiks and Maika Sivo, as well so hopefully he can get back because we believe we can do things in this World Cup like Samoa and Tonga have done.”

Kamikamica has played 23 Tests for Fiji and 142 NRL matches for the Storm and Bula said he was a role model for younger players in the Bati camp.

“He is a good bloke, like you can hang out with him and he will take you under his wing,” Bula said.

“For me, just seeing what he is like off the field, he is someone I definitely look up to. He is very professional, he is always stretching every time you go into the team room, he doesn’t eat bad, he looks after his body, so he practices what he preaches.”

Rugby League World Cup 2026 returns to Australia, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea. Where nations clash, heroes rise, and legends are forged. 3 World Cups. 26 Teams. The World’s Best. Tickets are now on sale from $19. Don’t miss the pinnacle of global Rugby League.