Silktails hunt for reps
THE Kaiviti Silktails will not only recruit players from a rugby league background but other sports as well to nurture their talents and to hand them pathways to secure contracts overseas especially in the National Rugby League (NRL) competition.
The Silktails feature in the Ron Massey Cup (RMC) which is the second tier competition in the New South Wales Rugby League.
The side will open its 2023 campaign against Penrith Brothers on March 19.
Recently the Silktails signed up former Fiji 7s extended squad member Sefanaia Bola.
Silktails head coach Wes Naiqama said they were a development club with an under-23 model focusing on pathways to give players exposure for NRL clubs to pick them.
Naiqama said it was hard for the NRL clubs to look at guys who were in their late 20s.
“We could recruit a 100 metre sprinter or someone who has athletic ability,” the former Fiji Bati captain said.
“We have the resources and the coaching staff to groom these players. So we are not only recruiting players from a rugby league background.”
The Silktails went down to PNG Hunters 12-26 in the Melanesian Bowl at Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka last week.
This served as the second trial match for the Silktails.
The side defeated Western Maroons 16-6 in the first trial fixture last month.
“We do give away age to a lot of teams because we are a really young team,” Naiqama said.
“But the boys don’t shy away from the hard stuff.
“We have a really good group that is in their second year.
“They have been helping these young guys by mentoring them through the preseason.
“We had good performances in our trial matches.
“The strength of our program is showing.
“We have made progress and that is what you do as a club.”