What a game! What a moment in time! And what an impact that game has had on the minds of die hard fans.

Not too many people gave the Fiji Bati any hope at all coming up against the world champion Australian Kangaroos in our second game of the Rugby League World Cup in Australia.

Zilch! No way!

When the teams marched onto the field on Sunday night, you could see the difference in size and star power.

The Kangaroos had the big names. They had imposing forwards and arguably the best halves combination in the game.

Then the national anthem sounded. You could see the determination on the faces of the Bati.

Frontrower Jacob Saifiti towered above every other Bati. Then, the tears. You could see that slowly stream down the faces of some of our players. The look of emotions, twisted perhaps, firmly intertwined somewhere there in the deepest recesses of the mind.

Emotions overwhelmed some of them. You could see that as they stared into the night sky.

Then the game!

The Kangaroos brought muscle, experience and international pedigree.

Against all odds, our young men removed the shackles that were supposed to bind them and shrugged off reputation, challenged expectations and took the game to the Kangaroos.

Everything was equal on the field as far they were concerned. They refused to be intimidated!

Our linebreakers Saifiti and Mitchell Prest were on fire. They carved up valuable yards in the leading tackle counts on their edges.

Secondrowers Taane Milne on the right edge and Kitione Kautoga on the left maintained momentum, challenging Australia’s defence around the fringes of the rucks.

Our halves Brandon Wakeham at halfback and Kurt Donoghoe at five-eighth had some brilliant moments off our forward momentum. With hooker Api Koroisau, they kept the Kangaroos on the backfoot in some brilliant flashes of the game, testing their defensive shape.

It was a dream effort that has raised the profile of the Bati game. We may have lacked big names upfront but our young men showed courage, resilience and great potential.

And while we are at it, the Bulikula women came off with a blinder against the Papua New Guinea Orchids in PNG. They won 40-4 and look set for the rest of the competition. They have been labelled an elite, world class international squad by the PNG media.

Now that was a special effort, and the stuff dreams are made of.

Now we look forward to the Bulikula taking on the might of France women on Saturday, and the Bati taking on the might of the New Zealand Kiwis on Saturday.

These performances remind us that greatness is not measured just by reputation, physical size or the number of superstars in a team.

We reflect on courage, commitment, belief and the willingness to stand together against overwhelming odds. Our players have given us something special. They have stirred national pride and inspired dreams. Now, let us believe in them, support them and celebrate their journey.

When our warriors rise to the challenge, they carry the hopes and aspirations of a nation!