In Lautoka, the Kaiviti Silktails rugby league team is facing a lineup reshuffle due to a knee injury sustained by captain Timoci Kotoisuava. The fullback’s injury during the Round Four 36-10 defeat to the Storm may sideline him for the upcoming weeks, adding pressure to the Silktails as they approach Round Six of the NSWRL’s Jersey Flegg Cup against the Penrith Panthers at Churchill Park this Saturday, 13 April.
Following the injury setback and last week’s postponed match in Nadi against Cronulla-Sutherland, Head Coach Wes Naiqama has had to adapt his team’s formation. He has replaced Kotoisuava with five-eighth Brandon Saun at fullback and promoted lock Senivalati Vunibola, who notably scored two tries in Round Three, to the No.6 position.
The shift in player roles is expected to dramatically alter the team’s core structure. Naiqama, in a statement, expressed his anticipation to see the results of this new strategy in the forthcoming games. The coach also mentioned the adjustments were based on the players’ previous experience in their new roles during the pre-season and schoolboy football.
Source: New South Wales Rugby League