By Tallon Smith

In a major coup for rugby league in the Riverina, the Griffith Waratah Tigers announced on Sunday that they have secured the services of former Fiji National Coach and NRL winger Joe Dakuitoga.

Dakuitoga will fulfil a Director of Coaching role for the struggling club, with oversight over the coaching of all grades and the club’s pathways, key to player retention and development.

A former Penrith Panthers and Sheffield Eagles winger, Dakuitoga’s impressive resume includes coaching the Bati to the Semi Finals of the 2008 Rugby League World Cup and the Quarter Finals of the 2021 edition, as well as being the assistant in 2013 and 2017, when Fiji upset New Zealand in the Quarter Final in Wellington.

Waratah Tigers President Robert Nascimben says that the signing has “created interest” in the club and local rugby league once more.

“There’s already been quite a few people join the Facebook page,” he said. 

“We’ve still got three weeks [and] we’re still trying to field five grades.”

This marks a stark turnaround for the club, with many Facebook posts in the past few weeks calling out for players as the club was on the brink of folding.

Nascimben said that the club had been the beneficiaries of renewed interest after the Facebook posts, with barbecues and social events leading to the club building vastly from its initial group of just 12 players.

“Some of the old players saw the facebook posts and told their young ones to come down to training,” he said. 

“Hopefully it’ll bring some old players back.”

The signing of Dakuitoga has many benefits, especially in the pathways area, where the club plans to further develop its senior squad as well as nurture its junior talent pool.

“It opens up opportunities for anyone who wants to be coached by a World Cup coach,” Nascimben said. 

“It’s inspirational when you get someone with that capability and expertise in Rugby League for 30 years.”

In speaking to Battlers For Bush Footy, Dakuitoga was “very excited and looking forward” to working with the team.

“At the moment I want to learn more about the team culture and work with the 2023 coaching staff,” he said.

“We are expecting to work with our juniors and women’s clubs to create a sustainable environment for our premier grades.”

The Waratah Tigers are not the only Group 20 club who have struggled to begin 2023, with Tullibigeal-Lake Cargelligo and Hay also forced to withdraw the Group 20 Knockout, which was left as just a six team event.

All nine Group 20 teams, including cross-town rivals Griffith Black and Whites, are expected to field a First Grade team in 2023 at this stage, with provisions in place if a club feels that they can only field a Reserve Grade side due to a lack of numbers.

The season is slated to commence on April 15, with a full slate of four clashes.

Cover Photo: Operation Waratah…New Director of Coaching Joe Dakuitoga meets Griffith Waratah Tigers officials ahead of a crucial season in the club’s future