Wikipedia

Kaiviti Silktails

The Kaiviti Silktails are a semi-professional rugby league football club from Fiji competing in the NSWRL's Jersey Flegg Cup.

Kaiviti Silktails
Club information
Full nameKaiviti Silktails Rugby league Football Club
Short nameKaiviti, The Silktails
Colours  Sky Blue
  Navy Blue
Founded2019; 5 years ago (2019)
Websitehttps://silktails.com/
Current details
Ground(s)
ChairmanPetero Civoniceva
CoachWes Naiqama
CaptainSunia Naruma
CompetitionJersey Flegg Cup

From 2020 to 2023, they competed in the Ron Massey Cup.[1]

History

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The NSWRL had first endorsed a bid team from Fiji led by Petero Civoniceva early in 2014 to have a team compete in the 2016 NSW Cup competition.[2] The bid received endorsement from the Fiji National Rugby League in 2018.[3] In June 2019, it was announced that the Kaiviti Silktails would enter the Ron Massey Cup in 2020, with promotion to the New South Wales Cup in 2021. Brandon Costin, coach of the Fijian national team, was announced as head coach.[4][5]

The Silktails won their opening match of the 2020 season 40–16 against the Windsor Wolves in Lautoka.[6] The season was subsequently cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Wes Naiqama was named head coach in June 2020.[7]

The Silktails remained in the Ron Massey Cup in 2021, remaining in Australia for the duration of the season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and playing their home matches at Mascot Oval.[8][9] During their round 1 bye, the team played a trial match against the Mascot Jets,[10] winning 46–16.[11] Their round 2 match against the Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles was postponed due to inclement weather.[12]

In 2022, the Silktails became a predominantly under-23 side.[13] In December 2023, it was announced that Silktails would become an under-21 side and join the Jersey Flegg Cup.[14]

Stadium

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The town-end view of Churchill Park

The Silktails were scheduled to play all 10 of their home matches in 2020 at Churchill Park, Lautoka.[15] In 2021, the team played all of their home matches at Mascot Oval, Sydney.

Players

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Current squad

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Squad for season 2023.[16]

  • 1. Ratu Jilivecevece (Fullback)
  • 2. Timoci Bola (Wing)
  • 3. Osea Natoga (Centre)
  • 4. Filimoni Paul (Centre)
  • 5. Paula Valisoliso (Wing)
  • 6. Mosese Qionimacawa (Five-eighth)
  • 7. Sunia Naruma (Halfback)
  • 8. Apakuki Tavodi (Prop) (c)
  • 9. Penaia Leveleve (Hooker)
  • 10. Meli Nasau (Prop)
  • 11. Inoke Vasuturaga (Second-row)
  • 12. Manasa Kalou (Second-row)
  • 13. Ponipate Komai (Lock)
  • 14. Simone Cakauniqio (Second-row)
  • 15. Samuela Yalisaya (Second-row)
  • 16. Timoci Bola
  • 17. Manoa Satala
  • 18. Watasoni Waqanisaravi
  • 19. Manoa Vilikesa
  • 20. Manueli Levaqai
  • 21. Sirilo Lovokuro
  • 22. Kilione Cagilevu
  • 23. Rusiate Baleitamavua
  • 24. Jonathan Roseman
  • 25. Iobe Taukeisalili
  • 26. Viliame Tutuvili
  • 27. Sitiveni Ravono
  • 28. Mosese Qionimacawa.[17]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Kaiviti Silktails and NSWRL".
  2. ^ "NSWRL endorses Fiji's bid for NSW Cup team". ABC. 17 July 2014. Retrieved 19 August 2019.
  3. ^ Walter, Brad (21 January 2018). "Fiji team in NSW Cup close to reality". NRL.com. Retrieved 19 August 2019.
  4. ^ "Fiji Rugby League to enter NSW Cup in 2021". Radio NZ. 26 June 2019. Retrieved 19 August 2019.
  5. ^ Ewart, Richard (27 June 2019). "Fiji NSW Cup bid over the line, but one step at a time". ABC. Retrieved 19 August 2019.
  6. ^ Turaga, Semi (14 March 2020). "Kaiviti Silktails thrash Windsor Wolves 40-16 in their Ron Massey Cup debut". FijiVillage. Retrieved 14 March 2020.
  7. ^ "Wes Naiqama appointed Kaiviti Silktails head coach". Radio NZ. 2 June 2020. Retrieved 1 May 2021.
  8. ^ McDonald, Margie (24 February 2021). "Fiji Silktails return to NSW rugby league". nswrl.com.au. Retrieved 1 May 2021.
  9. ^ McEnallay, Andrew (25 February 2021). "Silktails ready to make Rugby League history". nswrl.com.au. Retrieved 1 May 2021.
  10. ^ McDonald, Margie (12 March 2021). "Naiqama sets early challenge for Silktails". nswrl.com.au. Retrieved 1 May 2021.
  11. ^ Biudole, Noa (14 March 2021). "Kaiviti Silktails fires warning shot". Fiji Times. Retrieved 16 March 2021.
  12. ^ McDonald, Margie (26 March 2021). "Silktails false start could be "blessing in disguise"". nswrl.com.au. Retrieved 1 May 2021.
  13. ^ "Silktails to field young guns".
  14. ^ "Record teams announced for NSWRL 2024 season". NSWRL. 19 December 2012.
  15. ^ Cama, Akuila (15 January 2020). "All ten home games for Kaiviti Silktails at Churchill Park". FBC News. Retrieved 13 March 2020.
  16. ^ "Silktails highlights a younger group for the 2023 season". fbcnews.com.fj. 18 January 2023. Retrieved 26 March 2023.
  17. ^ "Hunters, Fiji Silktails Name Squads". 23 February 2022.
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