HIGHLANDERS LAUNCH PROBE AFTER FANS INJURED
THE performance of the Fijians Silktails players have attracted the eyes of some top Australian rugby league clubs and coach Wes Naiqama said the next step for them was playing in the New South Wales Cup or the NRL.
The Silktails, after two consecutive wins, have secured fourth spot on the Ron Massey Cup points table.
Naiqama said it was fantastic to see the Silktails players already generating interest among Australian teams.
Two players, Filimoni Temumunasau and Vuate Karawalevu, have been signed up by NRL clubs.
“When I picked this squad I knew that there was a lot of potential ... I wasn’t naive to think all 28 would — but the players that have put their hands up, stood up and been told that they could be playing in higher honours over the next couple of weeks I sort of expected it,” he said.
“They’ve been great the way they’ve applied themselves and just seeing those boys going up, it creates a good feeling among the squad, that there is hope and there is an actual pathway to potentially play in New South Wales Cup and NRL.”
Naiqama has been impressed with how his players adapted well in the competition and at the same time admitted the week to week grind of the competition had taken a major toll on his Fijian warriors.
“We’ve lost two boys for the rest of the season already,” he told RNZ.
“In regards to what we do with that ... more than likely we will look at what we have in Fiji ... if we have to pick a player from back home to fly him over, if that’s what we have to do, we will do it,” the former Dragons, Knights and Panthers utility said.
He said Temumunasau had already made his debut for the Sydney Roosters under-19 before doing his ACL.
Former Marist Brothers High School student and Naitasiri Rugby Union fullback Vuate Karawalevu will also depart the Silktails soon after signing a two-year deal with the National Rugby League club.
The Fijians will this week host third-placed Mount Pritchard Mounties at its home ground, Mascot Oval on Saturday.