The Kaiviti Silktails opening match of their rugby league season was postponed because of torrential rain across Sydney.

The Fijian side also relocated to Australia this season because of Covid-19. The squad completed two weeks of managed isolation three weeks ago and had been preparing for their first Ron Massey Cup game against Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles.

After some initial teething issues, coach Wes Naiqama said the team had settled into their new surrounds, with their accommodation, training venue, leagues club, head office and home ground all within a three kilometre radius.

The local Fijian community in Sydney also helped the team feel welcome.

“Our second weekend out of quarantine we were invited to a church in Granville in which we attended a church service there and they put on lunch for us and last week at Liverpool Church. Out of the goodness of their hearts they cooked a big meal and brought it into our training facility last week after our church service…Last week it wasn’t sort of advertised as much as we would have liked to, because it was just a trial game, but I think we still had 500 plus supporters come support us last week to watch the game.”

The Silktails outclassed the Mascot Jets 46-16 in a pre-season hit-out last weekend. Speaking before their opening clash was called off, Naiqama said the team had prepared as best they can for the new season.

“We’ve got a standard that we want to play to and we’ve worked really hard at that to create an environment where we’re all playing for each other. If we put in a good performance, work for each other and we stick to our gameplan everything else will look after itself and I think the scoreboard will look after itself too. The boys are really excited and they’re really determined and committed so I think they just can’t wait to all get out there and get this game started.”

The Round Two fixtures for the Ron Massey Cup will be made up at a yet to be determined date.