The Fiji Airways Kaiviti Silktails will play a curtain raiser before the Melbourne Storm and Newcastle Knights historic NRL trial match in Fiji.
This was confirmed by the Storm, outlining the Silktails will play at 12.30pm at Churchill Park in Lautoka to give locals a chance to see future NRL stars in action.
Their opponent is yet to be determined. “For any NRL club bringing a trial game of this level out into the Pacific region is truly amazing,” Kaiviti Silktails general manager Damon Spooner said.
“For Fiji, this is huge. As soon as it was announced the city of Lautoka was buzzing.
For the Kaiviti Silktails, who are about to enter the NSWRL Jersey Flegg U21 competition, the players, staff, and board will be forever grateful to the Storm.
“The ripple effect of having the Melbourne Storm and Newcastle Knights in Lautoka, I believe, will inspire the next generation of elite Fijian players into pathways with local staff opportunities for years to come.”
The side will play its second trial match at the Gold Coast in Australia against the Titans’ development team.
These two trial matches are vital for the players as the coaching panel will make their final selection from there.
Wes Naiqama and his young brigade will stay on for another week ahead of the first NSW Jersey Flegg Cup match against the Wests Tigers on March 9 at Lidcombe Oval in Sydney, Australia.
