The Kaiviti Silktails will launch their Inaugral Fiji League Legends Bowl Series this week for their first home game of the year against the South Sydney Rabbitohs at Churchill Park.
The concept – introduced by Silktails Executive Director Stephen Driscoll, will have the Silktails honour past Fijian legends of the respective clubs they will participate against.
The club has confirmed that the first of the Bowl Series will see the Silktails honour Rabbitohs legend Manoa Thompson, with Game 1 of the Bowl to be played this Saturday. The second leg of the Manoa Thompson Bowl will be played at the iconic Redfern Oval on April 20 on Round 7, where the Bowl will be officially presented to the winning team post-match.
For Driscoll, this particular Bowl Match is particularly close to him.
“I was born in Fiji and came to Australia when I was four years old. I grew up playing league in the South Sydney District as a kid and was fortunate enough to be a ball boy for the Jersey Flegg team back in the 80’s and Manoa was a star in that team back then” said Driscoll
“He went on to play first grade for the Club and represent Fiji in the late 80’s and early 90’s and was a real pioneer for Fijians that played at the Rabbitohs. “
Driscoll who was also graded with the Rabbitohs in the 90’s has remained close friends with Thompson, who is the Godfather of his youngest daughter Shawnee.
“Manoa is like a big brother to me and is loved by everyone at the Rabbitohs and has always been a massive Silktails supporter since our clubs inception. During our time in Australia during COVID, we had a Kava Bar on match days at Mascot Oval he made famous called – ‘At the Tanoa with Manoa’.
“The Silktails Board had no hesitation in honouring Manoa for his efforts for the Rabbitohs on the field and for what he has done to support the Silktails off the field.”
The Silktails would also like to acknowledge other former Fijian legends that played for the Rabbitohs that include John Sutton, Lote Tuqiri, Wise Kativerata, Apisai Koroisau and current player Taane Milne.
Silktails Chairman Petero Civoniceva also spoke of Manoa’s lasting impact on rugby league.
“Since Manoa’s time back in the late 80’s and 90’s there have been some all-time greats that have represented that club. Manoa being a local Souths junior definitely paved the way for those Fijians playing in a period when Fijian representation in the NRL was not what it is now. We look forward to getting back ‘At the Tanoa with Manoa’ at Redfern Oval in April” said Civoniceva.
The Silktails take on the famous Red and Green of South Sydney at 12 noon this Saturday, hoping to get their first win of the season.
