Jersey Flegg Team List: Back in Fiji again

For the second time in six weeks the One New Zealand Warriors face the challenge of taking on the Kaiviti Silktails on their home turf in the Jersey Flegg Cup tomorrow (12.00pm kick-off).

The Warriors arrived in Lautoka today for the 20th-round under-21 contest at Churchill Park with the weather again likely to be a key factor.

When the two sides met at the same venue on June 8 the Warriors came from 6-10 down to edge the locals 16-10 on a day when the midday temperature hit 28 degrees. It’s expected to be about the same again tomorrow.

The Silktails are running 14th and last in the competition, winless after 17 games, with the Warriors 13th with five wins, a draw and 12 losses from 18 games.

Yet the Fijian side has been close on other occasions and is showing clear signs of improvement. As well as the result against the Warriors the locals lost 14-20 to the Rabbitohs and 14-18 to Bulldogs in Lautoka.

It’s proof if any was needed that the One New Zealand Warriors face a serious test again tomorrow, more so coming into the match without a win in their last five starts since beating the Silktails.

With the club’s New South Wales Cup side having a bye this weekend, the Jersey Flegg side has been boosted by the inclusion of prop Tanner Stowers-Smith. The 20-year-old started at SG Ball Cup level last season but was quickly promoted to reserve grade where he has played almost exclusively ever since including last week’s remarkable 46-28 comeback win over the Eels.

Joining Stowers-Smith from the NSW Cup squad are fullback Sio Kali and half Caleb Laiman.