Kaiviti Silktails end Jersey Flegg Cup campaign with 22-22 draw against Rabbitohs; season highlights show promising development for Fiji’s young stars
The Kaiviti Silktails closed their 2025 Jersey Flegg Cup campaign on a high note, fighting to a 22-all draw with the South Sydney Rabbitohs at Churchill Park in Lautoka. After a season filled with tough results, the side finished with five wins from 24 matches, signaling encouraging growth for a young squad in Fiji’s rugby league landscape.
Earlier in the year, the Silktails delivered a landmark moment with a standout away win over Melbourne Storm. The victory became a defining moment for the team, highlighted by Bale Vetaukula’s impressive hat-trick and contributions from Akuila Qoro and Iowani Mainalovo, underscoring the squad’s potential to compete with the competition’s elite.
The home crowd was treated to another major milestone as Mikaele Senibua spearheaded the Silktails to their first home win, a thrilling 23-22 result against the Illawarra Dragons. Senibua’s hat-trick paired with Adrea Ramabuke’s late clinching effort helped to secure the win in front of a supportive crowd and added shine to the Apisai Toga Bowl celebrations.
Round four brought further momentum, with a 24-22 victory over the Newcastle Knights at Lawaqa Park. Captain Gabriel Tunimakubu spoke post-match about the positive mindset the team carried into the game, crediting it as a key factor in reclaiming momentum after a difficult start to the season.
Not every outing went the Silktails’ way. The campaign also included heavier losses, such as a 26-6 defeat to the Parramatta Eels and a 44-14 loss to the Bulldogs, events the club used to stress the importance of learning and development as they push for improved clarity and execution in future seasons.
As the 2025 season comes to a close, coach Timoci Duve has emphasized a focus on development, resilience, and building a compact young core that can carry forward Fiji’s rugby league ambitions. With the season finished, the Silktails will regroup and prepare for the next Jersey Flegg Cup campaign, aiming to come back stronger when the new season kicks off in February.
Commentary and value add:
– The season’s standout moments, especially the landmark Melbourne Storm win and the first home victory, provide tangible benchmarks for the team’s growth and a hopeful outlook for the development pathway in Fiji.
– The Silktails’ mix of challenging defeats and meaningful progress mirrors a learning curve that can inspire broader youth participation and community support around rugby league in Fiji.
– For followers and supporters, the focus now shifts to how these young players translate experience into consistency and how the club builds on the identified talents like Vetaukula, Senibua, Ramabuke, and Mainalovo.
Summary: The Silktails’ 2025 campaign offered a blend of rugged lessons and memorable breakthroughs, underscoring a positive trajectory for Fiji’s Jersey Flegg pathway. The draw to end the season provides a hopeful foundation as the team readies for February’s renewal, with local pride and fan backing set to drive the next wave of development.
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