THE Fiji National Rugby League board has decided to scrap the State of Origin series.

The series will now be replaced by the Battle of the Bati which will act as a trial for the Rugby League World Cup.

The FNRL board met on Thursday afternoon and endorsed the change.

Thirty local players will be selected from the Battle of the Bati to compete with overseas reps in a final trial to select 19 players in September

"These players will join the five National Rugby League players from Australia who have shown interest in representing Fiji," FNRL chairman Peni Musunamasi said.

"The Battle of the Bati will be used by our national selectors to choose our residential players for the world cup trials in September."

The five NRL players include Wes Naiqama, Aston Sims, John Sutton, Akuila Wati and Daryl Millard.

The local elite training squad will hit the sand dunes in Kulukulu, Siga-toka today. The Sigatoka sand dunes has been a training ground for Fiji Rugby Union national teams preparing for international tournaments.

Rugby union coach Ilivasi Tabua used the sand dunes to prepare the Flying Fijians for the 2007 Rugby World Cup.

Nadroga's success in the provincial competitions has been attributed to its strenuous fitness work at the sand dunes.

Musunamasi is hoping the success of the Flying Fijians will rub off on the Bati.

Meanwhile, the FNRL purchased three gym sets yesterday after receiving $5000 from the interim Government. The gyms will be distributed to Lautoka, Nadi and Namatakula.

"There is a need to have the gyms in these areas if we are to compete against professional players," Musunamasi said.

The FNRL board will make a submission to the interim Government for further assistance.