Penrith pair Api Koroisau and Viliame Kikau and Parramatta’s Maika Sivo, Reagan Campbell-Gillard and Waqa Blake headline a star studded Fiji Bati squad named for the World Cup.

The Bati will be led by Sydney Roosters back Kevin Naiqama and Kikau, who are among 17 NRL stars included in the squad announced by Fiji coach Joe Rabele.

Others include Newcastle props Daniel and Jacob Saifiti, St George Illawarra second-rower Tariq Sims and Melbourne forward Tui Kamikamica

Koroisau, Campbell-Gillard, Jacob Saifiti and Sims were all members of NSW’s State of Origin campaign this season and are also under consideration by Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga.

Rabele said he wanted Koroisau to play five-eighth or hooker at the World Cup but needs an answer on his availability before the final 24-man Bati squad is announced on October 19.

“I know that he has some interest to play for the Kangaroos, but the door is still open for Api Koroisau,” Rabele told a press conference in Fiji.

“Hopefully he will get back to me because we will send invitation letters to all the clubs for all the players that we select [to confirm] if they want to be part of this program, so we are waiting for them to respond.

“We are departing for England on October 25 so before we depart we need to select our best team that we can for the World Cup.”

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Fiji have made the semi-finals of the last three World Cups and are looking to go one step further and qualify for the final at Old Trafford on November 19.

They face Australia in their opening World Cup match at Headingley on October 15, with Italy and Scotland the other teams in Pool B.

The Bati will be based in Rochdale and begin their preparations for the World Cup with a warm-up match against hosts England at Salford on October 7.

“Hopefully all the best players will be available for this World Cup campaign,” Rabele said.

“Those players in the grand final will come after the grand final. Our warm-up match is against England so that is where we want to set up our structures for the game against Australia.”