THE Kaiviti Silktails have sent a warning to the rest of the rugby league club after their breakthrough win over the Canberra Raiders 38-24 in Round 6 of the NSWRL Jersey Flegg Cup at Churchill Park in Lautoka last weekend.
Chairman Petero Civoniceva says the victory proves Fiji’s young rugby league players can match Australia’s elite pathways system.
The Silktails recently defeated the Raiders, one of the strongest clubs in the competition, in what Civoniceva described as a major milestone for the Fijian side.
“We were able to defeat the Canberra Raiders, who are one of the strong powerhouses of this competition, and really puts on notice all the other clubs around our potential,” he said.
The former NRL star said the achievement was even more impressive given the experience gap between Fiji’s players and their Australian counterparts.
“We’re up against the best NRL clubs in the country, in Australia,” he said.
“Our players must fast-track their education in rugby league. It’s an amazing testament to them and their willingness to learn.”
Civoniceva acknowledged the physical and mental demands of the 26-week competition, saying no other Fijian team competes at such an intense level week after week.
“It is a tough physical and mental battle to be a player in these types of competitions,” he said.
Despite the challenges, he believes the exposure is critical to closing the gap between Fiji and Australia in rugby league development.
The Kaiviti Silktails will go against the Rabbitohs at Churchill Park in Lautoka at 12pm today.
