Fiji Bati players meeting over potential end to international boycott in time for Test against PNG

Fiji captain Kevin Naiqama will meet with the Bati playing group over the next two weeks to decide whether to end their international boycott in time for next month's Test against Papua New Guinea.

Six months after reaching the Rugby League World Cup semi-final, Fiji players were last week paid their $3125 prizemoney after the Fiji National Rugby League (FNRL) were bailed out by the international body.

It is understood the FNRL had initially spent the World Cup money on a long- standing debt, forcing the players to declare they would be boycotting future international Tests.

But after Naiqama personally met with Rugby League International Federation chief executive Nigel Wood, the RLIF stepped in to loan the FNRL the extra money for the players.

"It was supposed to be in our accounts in two weeks. I found out the reason was because the FNRL were in debt and they were withholding our prizemoney to pay a debt," Naiqama told AAP.

"That's why it took the whole six months.

"The RLIF ended up paying for that debt, and the FNRL are in a payment plan to pay it back to them. So the players have agreed to meet to discuss the best action moving forward."

It is believed the players remain upset with the behaviour of the FNRL board, despite three new members being voted in at their recent annual general meeting.

Fiji legend Petero Civoniceva was voted as one of the new directors following his leading role in a bid to enter a Bati team in the NSW Intrust Super Premiership next year.

It is understood the bid has been met with some resistance by the FNRL.

"There's still a bit of trust issues. There's only one person really on the board that the players have the trust of, and that's Petero," Naiqama said.

"We're in talks moving forward to find out the best way to go ahead, because they can put someone else as chairman of the governing body."

Former Penrith player Matt Adamson was appointed interim head coach two weeks ago after Mick Potter stood down from the role last month.

Fiji meet PNG as part of the double-header at Campbelltown during representative round on June 23, with the likes of Jarryd Hayne, Viliame Kikau, Suliasi Vunivalu, and Akuila Uate a chance of playing.

SOURCE: AAP/PACNEWS