Another slice of history unfolds when the One New Zealand Warriors’ colours will be seen in Fiji for the first time on Saturday.
The club's Jersey Flegg Cup (under-21) team flew to Fiji on Friday morning ahead of its 14th-round match against the Kaiviti Silktails at Churchill Park in Lautoka tomorrow (12.00pm kick-off).
The concept of having a Fijian team in the New South Wales competition structure was led by legendary Kangaroos and Queensland front rower Petero Civoniceva.
The Silktails started out in the NSWRL’s Massey Cup before becoming an under-21 side to join the Jersey Flegg Cup this season.
The Warriors will be the fifth Flegg side to play the Silktails in Fiji so far this season with previous visits made by South Sydney, Penrith, Parramatta and Canberra.
Match: Silktails v Warriors
Round 14 -
home Team
Silktails
away Team
Warriors
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Silktails is number 1 Brandon SaunFullback for Warriors is number 18 Tallan Egan
-
Winger for Silktails is number 2 Tevita WanisiWinger for Warriors is number 2 Garry Tuilekutu
-
Centre for Silktails is number 3 Mitchell PoulterCentre for Warriors is number 3 Nganaiaiafu Vake
-
Centre for Silktails is number 4 Emosi DaubituCentre for Warriors is number 4 Sialetili Faeamani
-
Winger for Silktails is number 5 Sevanaia TovutosWinger for Warriors is number 5 Rapheal Sio
-
Five-Eighth for Silktails is number 6 Orisi BariFive-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Jesse Soric
-
Halfback for Silktails is number 7 Senivalati VunibolaHalfback for Warriors is number 7 Cassius Cowley
Forwards
-
Prop for Silktails is number 8 Tevita VukiceaProp for Warriors is number 8 Harry Durbin
-
Hooker for Silktails is number 9 Bale VetaukulaHooker for Warriors is number 9 Jeriko Filipi-Talisau
-
Prop for Silktails is number 10 Sakenasa NaikawakawavesiProp for Warriors is number 10 Tobias Crosby
-
2nd Row for Silktails is number 11 Fenton Williams2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Alvin Chong Nee
-
2nd Row for Silktails is number 12 Ratu Kaveni Rosau2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Augustino Filipo
-
Lock for Silktails is number 13 Tevita MataiwaiLock for Warriors is number 13 Kayliss Fatialofa
Interchange
-
Interchange for Silktails is number 14 Ame BautoluInterchange for Warriors is number 14 Maui Winitana-Patelesio
-
Interchange for Silktails is number 15 Alipate QoroInterchange for Warriors is number 15 Presley Seumanu Tigafua
-
Interchange for Silktails is number 16 Akuila QoroInterchange for Warriors is number 16 Rodney Tuipulotuvea
-
Interchange for Silktails is number 17 George SatakalaInterchange for Warriors is number 17 Francis Tuimauga
Reserves
-
Replacement for Silktails is number 18 Jeremaia KetecaReplacement for Warriors is number 1 Sefanaia Cowley-Lupo
Last updated:
It has been a tough initiation for the Fijian side, still winless after 11 matches including a number of heavy defeats.
For the One New Zealand Warriors the historic trip will be heavily focused on continuing to improve after a run of consistent performances over the last two months.
Following three heavy defeats at the start of the season, they’ve won four and drawn one of their last seven outings.
Since losing 12-44 to Canberra in round three, the margins in their last nine games have been eight points or less apart from their 12-point loss to the Roosters in round 10.
They go into Saturday’s contest after back-to-back wins over Melbourne (28-24) and the Roosters (20-16) as well as having a bye to move up to 11 points on the ladder.
The lineup is largely unchanged from the one used against the Roosters.
Sefanaia Cowley-Lupo replaces William Piliu at fullback in the only change in the backline while SG Ball Cup (under-19) co-captain Kayliss Fatialofa boosts the pack by coming in at loose forward after a stint with the New South Wales side which has a bye this week.
Captain Harry Durbin moves to prop from loose forward replacing Rodney Tuipolotu-Vea who shifts to the interchange. There’s also a swap in the second row with Augustino Filipo starting and Presley Seumanu going to the bench.
