Chook coup: Roosters sign Fiji’s hottest talent.

[Davo]

He has never even played a game of rugby league, but the Roosters have landed a kid dubbed the hottest talent anywhere in Fiji. I dont have access to the Telegrah article if someone does?

[King Salvo]

Vuate Karawalevu is his name a 19 yo Fijian Rugby player who was signed by the ACT Brumbies for 2020/21 season (Brumbies Academy) so not sure what happened with that even with the Borders closed as it would be the same with the Chooks - Apparently a Fullback/ 5/8 in RU and a goal kicker as well- I can't access the DT article





https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/sports/ru...-for-brumbies/

[NorthChook]

I saw on NRL.com the Silktails are back for another crack - from memory I think we made an agreement with them to be another pathways club. Perhaps he is from there? Sorry don’t have the article either

[zac]

early days but if the moz boys retire and joey leaves we've got room

[milanja]

Bondi boy gonna love it we finally got a Fijian in the team.

[rozza]

Here's the article

Roosters sign Fijian prodigy Vuate Karawalevu

First, they signed Australian schoolboy sensation Joseph Suaalii.

Now the Roosters have landed his Fijian counterpart.

As part of a budding new relationship with the country famed for producing NRL stars like Semi Radradra, Viliame Kikau and Maika Sivo, The Daily Telegraph can reveal Roosters officials have snared 19-year-old Vuate Karawalevu — a promising rugby union fullback whose physique and playing style has been likened to Latrell Mitchell.

Better, the youngster emerged from quarantine late on Wednesday afternoon to begin his new life in what is being dubbed Australia’s most exciting rugby league team of 2021 — the Kaiviti Silktails.

After spending the past fortnight in lockdown, the 28-man Silktails squad is now readying for not only a debut in the Ron Massey Cup, but also a seven-month stay in Australia.

While initially meant to join the NSWRL competition last year, with home games every second week, the emergence of COVID has meant the Silktails, after a year on the sidelines, will now live and play out of Sydney until October.

Set to be housed across 12 Kingsford unit blocks, the Fijian franchise has also developed a partnership with NRL heavyweights the Roosters, who quickly moved to grab the signature of Karawalevu, despite the fact he has never played a game of rugby league.

According to Silktails CEO Steve Driscoll, the teenager’s decision to switch from rugby, after being named in the Fijian U/18 World Cup squad, is a huge coup for the game.

“It would be like rugby union signing Brad Fittler as a schoolboy,” Driscoll said.

“Right now, Vuate’s the hottest Fijian prospect in either code.

“With his powerful build and playing style, he’s a bit like Latrell Mitchell. And he can kick goals too.

“Only last season he signed to play with the Brumbies (in Super Rugby) but that deal fell through because of COVID. And after seeing what we’re doing with the Silktails — and our partnership with the Roosters — he has decided to switch across.

“He’s already signed with the Roosters and has come across as part of our squad.”

While Karawalevu has already committed himself to the Roosters, there remains a large group of untapped Fijian potential who, over the course of the Massey Cup season, will look to put themselves onto the radar of NRL recruiters.

Indeed, so great is the opportunity, a large chunk of the playing group have either left wives and children at home in Fiji, left parents for the first time, or even simply stepped aboard their first aeroplane to be part of this opportunity.

Financed by the Australian federal government and various corporate partners, the team will also receive close support from the NSWRL.

Apart from training at Daceyville PCYC, and playing at Mascot Oval, the players and five staff — headed by coach Wes Naiqama — will also travel about in a 25-seat bus and 14-seat mini-van.

Asked about the NRL potential within his group, Driscoll said: “Some of the numbers these guys are putting up in the gym, it’s scary.

“We haven’t seen anything like it before.

“And right now, there really is a factory of these young guys in Fiji.

“It’s almost like every time we turn up a rock over there, we find another one.”

Apart from the current Australian-based team, the Silktails also boast an Elite Pathways program in Fiji, three different training facilities and a Centre of Excellence in Lautoka. The franchise is also helping to run, and finance, a local competition which last year boasted a record 27 teams.

The Roosters are also working closely with both head coach Naiqama and his staff as part of the partnership.

[ism22]

> And he can kick goals too.

Whoooo!!!

> “We haven’t seen anything like it before.

> “And right now, there really is a factory of these young guys in Fiji.

It's saying a great deal! Last time I was in Fiji there were heaps of randoms around the street (smoking durries...etc) who probably just play socially from time to time but they had amazingly athletic builds and silky ball skills. Somebody who's special for that kinda environment sounds like the next Radradra (whose try scoring ability was insane last time he played NRL! Like a man playing against boys... but he was actually playing NRL).

[Davo]

Thanks Rozza

[King Salvo]

Here's the article

Roosters sign Fijian prodigy Vuate Karawalevu

First, they signed Australian schoolboy sensation Joseph Suaalii.

Now the Roosters have landed his Fijian counterpart.

As part of a budding new relationship with the country famed for producing NRL stars like Semi Radradra, Viliame Kikau and Maika Sivo, The Daily Telegraph can reveal Roosters officials have snared 19-year-old Vuate Karawalevu — a promising rugby union fullback whose physique and playing style has been likened to Latrell Mitchell.

Better, the youngster emerged from quarantine late on Wednesday afternoon to begin his new life in what is being dubbed Australia’s most exciting rugby league team of 2021 — the Kaiviti Silktails.

After spending the past fortnight in lockdown, the 28-man Silktails squad is now readying for not only a debut in the Ron Massey Cup, but also a seven-month stay in Australia.

While initially meant to join the NSWRL competition last year, with home games every second week, the emergence of COVID has meant the Silktails, after a year on the sidelines, will now live and play out of Sydney until October.

Set to be housed across 12 Kingsford unit blocks, the Fijian franchise has also developed a partnership with NRL heavyweights the Roosters, who quickly moved to grab the signature of Karawalevu, despite the fact he has never played a game of rugby league.

According to Silktails CEO Steve Driscoll, the teenager’s decision to switch from rugby, after being named in the Fijian U/18 World Cup squad, is a huge coup for the game.

“It would be like rugby union signing Brad Fittler as a schoolboy,” Driscoll said.

“Right now, Vuate’s the hottest Fijian prospect in either code.

“With his powerful build and playing style, he’s a bit like Latrell Mitchell. And he can kick goals too.

“Only last season he signed to play with the Brumbies (in Super Rugby) but that deal fell through because of COVID. And after seeing what we’re doing with the Silktails — and our partnership with the Roosters — he has decided to switch across.

“He’s already signed with the Roosters and has come across as part of our squad.”

While Karawalevu has already committed himself to the Roosters, there remains a large group of untapped Fijian potential who, over the course of the Massey Cup season, will look to put themselves onto the radar of NRL recruiters.

Indeed, so great is the opportunity, a large chunk of the playing group have either left wives and children at home in Fiji, left parents for the first time, or even simply stepped aboard their first aeroplane to be part of this opportunity.

Financed by the Australian federal government and various corporate partners, the team will also receive close support from the NSWRL.

Apart from training at Daceyville PCYC, and playing at Mascot Oval, the players and five staff — headed by coach Wes Naiqama — will also travel about in a 25-seat bus and 14-seat mini-van.

Asked about the NRL potential within his group, Driscoll said: “Some of the numbers these guys are putting up in the gym, it’s scary.

“We haven’t seen anything like it before.

“And right now, there really is a factory of these young guys in Fiji.

“It’s almost like every time we turn up a rock over there, we find another one.”

Apart from the current Australian-based team, the Silktails also boast an Elite Pathways program in Fiji, three different training facilities and a Centre of Excellence in Lautoka. The franchise is also helping to run, and finance, a local competition which last year boasted a record 27 teams.

The Roosters are also working closely with both head coach Naiqama and his staff as part of the partnership.

Fiji is a funny nice place - Was there as part of a 16 day Pacific cruise - Went from Nadi to Suva and return by bus - old buses no windows and the driver stopped every so often to talk to people - also people getting on with their chickens/goats/pigs and fruit and veg etc to sell at the market or home use - we only had a day in Fiji with the ship departing at 6pm - 3 or so hours each way - I thought we would never get back on time if the driver did the same thing on the way back which they did - got back to Nadi with 10 minutes to spare - Fiji time exists

[RoosterChick]

Why can’t we prioritise the players we have who are off contract this year. Angus, Toops, Sam Walker and Ice. I just can’t get excited about us signing a kid from Fiji when there are players we should be extending first.

[BUDDY]

Here is the customary highlights video.
https://youtu.be/TR4iebuCbsU


I think Ryan Williamson had a better highlight video.
https://youtu.be/YaXGy5V8vyM

[Rooster_6]

Why can’t we prioritise the players we have who are off contract this year. Angus, Toops, Sam Walker and Ice. I just can’t get excited about us signing a kid from Fiji when there are players we should be extending first.

None are outside backs and he wouldn't be on anything more than a development contract.

With Bmoz and Jmoz likely playing out their last seasons and the departures of Kepoa and Tuipulotu in the last 12 months its crucial we sign some outside backs.

Part of the plan in retaining top end talent has to be producing your own talent.

[TeddyGoat]

Ah so his playing style is like Fatrells? So taking 10 runs a game, with 3 errors, shit defensive efforts and a nice play every now and then? Perfect! Nah all jokes aside this is an interesting buy, I wasn't even aware we had this partnership with the Fijian team but I suppose it can only be good for us. Will be keeping an eye out to see how he goes in his comp this year.

[ism22]

Here is the customary highlights video.
https://youtu.be/TR4iebuCbsU


I think Ryan Williamson had a better highlight video.
https://youtu.be/YaXGy5V8vyM

It's yawnion but how good is all that!!! Could watch it all day.

Love all the running and passing. Wouldn't say he bashes through people like Latrell... he just looks really hard to tackle as he's fast and is constantly looking for new linesx passes and offloads. That stuff makes great viewing material!

He kicks like a decent yawnion player too. When you're getting 3 points for penalties, you tend to line them up from 50-60 out and have a shot. That's where he'd be similar to Latrell. Confident long kicking game...

[zac]

with smith out might even be useful back up this year