PORT Kembla’s inspirational leader James Storer has his eyes firmly fixed on next year’s World Cup after representing Fiji for the 10th time.
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As Australia chase Four Nations redemption, starting on Saturday morning, Storer tasted success when the Bati defeat rivals Samoa 20-18 earlier this month.
“The fact that I’ve been part of the set-up for a number of years now worked in my favour I think,” Storer said.
“As we weren’t too sure what Jarryd Hayne was doing, the team wasn’t sure if Apisai Koroisau was going to play in the halves or at hooker – which ensured my position in the team.
“In terms of the match itself, it was very hot, the ground hard and those conditions worked in my favour.
“A fair few of the boys had finished their respective seasons pretty early, so they probably weren’t as match fit as they usually are.
“But because I train myself, as I’m not part of that NRL set-up anymore, my body was more prepared for the match.
“I knew I could use this to my advantage when I packed into a scrum against Sam Kasiano and Junior Paulo and they were both struggling.
“That gave me confidence for the rest of the game, which helped us get the victoiry.”
Storer, who debut for his country back in 2006, ranked this victory as one of his best to date.
“Heading into the match, Samoa had a stacked side and I think they just thought they would rock up an win,” he said.
“But to the boys credit, they dug deep and got the result. Fiji and Samoa have a massive rivalry, which includes us knocking them out in the quarter-final stage World Cup in England.”
While the match was obviously the main focus for the Bati, Storer and his team mates also did a lot of community work while there.
Storer will now return and prepare for another Group Seven season with Port Kembla.
“Fijian coach Mick Potter has already told me to stay fit ahead of next year’s world cup – so for me, I’m aiming to have a massive season on the field in 2017,” he said.
“With the Blacks, we are aiming to build on this year.
“At the start of this year, I told the boys that we need to have realistic goals and that winning the competition in 2016 wasn’t our goal.
“But 2017, I’m hoping that we can push for a semi-finals spot. Towards the end of the year, the boys had bought in to what I was trying to instil at the club, which is a great stepping stone.
“And if I’m fortunate enough to make the Fijian side after all that, the World Cup might be a great way to end my international career, but we’ll see.”