Kaiviti Silktails hopes for better start

Listen to this article:

Kaiviti Silktails coach Wes Naiqama during an interview at their gym in Lautoka yesterday. Picture: REINAL CHAND

The Kaiviti Silktails is aiming for a better start in the opening rounds of the 2023 Ron Massey Cup (RMC) to reach its maiden semi-final.

The Silktails made a slow start in the RMC last year losing their first three matches.

The side went down to Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles 28-26 in round one, 6-16 to Glebe Dirty Reds in round two and 20-27 to Hills Bulls in round three.

The side ended up in sixth spot in the competition, missing on a semi-final berth.

Silktails head coach Wes Naiqama said it was really important for them as a club to get off to a good start.

“Last year we had a slow start to the season for reasons that we could not control,” Naiqama said.

“I did not get the full squad until mid-January. We had a short four week preseason before our trial and then played in the RMC just missing out on semi-finals.”

Four of the Silktails boys joined the Sydney Roosters under-21 squad for preseason training.

They include Iobe Taukeisalisali, Watisoni Waqanisaravi, Simione Cakau and Meli Nasau.

Taukeisalisali suffered a shoulder injury and underwent surgery last week.

Naiqama said Taukeisalisali would be out for about four to six months.

“It is unfortunate but again being so young it is going to be a lesson for him,” he said.

“Obviously dealing with injury and the rehabilitation process.

“His focus now will be to tick all the boxes and recover. To get his shoulders strong so he could possibly feature for us at the back end of the year or the finals.”

Naiqama said their players, part of the Roosters U21, will be available to them for the first five rounds.

“They will join us for training in Sydney for the round one game against the Penrith Brothers,” he said.

“The experience that they will bring will be great. Having had preseason training with the Roosters they should be in good shape.

“They have undergone some specialised coaching and will bring back something to this squad. If the Roosters need them after round five then they can go back.”

The Silktails will face Penrith Brothers on March 19.

Array
(
    [post_type] => post
    [post_status] => publish
    [orderby] => date
    [order] => DESC
    [update_post_term_cache] => 
    [update_post_meta_cache] => 
    [cache_results] => 
    [category__in] => 1
    [posts_per_page] => 4
    [offset] => 0
    [no_found_rows] => 1
    [date_query] => Array
        (
            [0] => Array
                (
                    [after] => Array
                        (
                            [year] => 2023
                            [month] => 12
                            [day] => 28
                        )

                    [inclusive] => 1
                )

        )

)

No Posts found for specific category