A rare opportunity to experience the passion for rugby league from the Fijian people awaits the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles Jersey Flegg team on Saturday, August 3.
The fifth placed Sea Eagles take on the winless Kaiviti Silktails at Churchill Park in Lautoka in a testing trip for the team.
The Silktails are in their first season in the Jersey Flegg (U21s) competition.
Following a captain's run on Thursday night, the Sea Eagles arrive in Fiji on Friday night and will have a light pool session and dinner ahead of a 10am game (AEST) the next day.
Although the Sea Eagles accounted for the Silktails 48-8 at 4 Points Park in round 17, Coach Scott Kenna remains cautious given Manly are just one point behind fourth spot and cannot afford to slip up with five rounds remaining.
"The Silktails are a work in progress. They are really physical and very athletic. It’s just going to take time for them to work on their craft and skills,'' Kenna said.
.“You could see from where they were in round one to round 17 when we played them, they are just getting better.
“They have a four year plan and are only into their first year in this competition, so we will be having a different conversation about them in two years time.
“The more they play here in Australia in our Jersey Flegg system, the better they will get.
"To play in Fiji is such a good opportunity for everyone involved, including our staff.
Match: Silktails v Sea Eagles
Round 22 -
home Team
Silktails
14th Position
away Team
Sea Eagles
5th Position
Venue: Churchill Park, Lautoka
"We have to embrace the experience as not everyone gets to do this. It will be a good test for our players in adjusting to the temperature and humidity in Fiji before flying back to Australia after the game."
