Silktails standout and 2022 Tabu Soro ‘Rising Star’ award recipient Watisoni Waqanisaravi has signed with the Sydney Roosters.
Kaiviti Silktails Executive Director Stephen Driscoll spoke about how Waqanisaravi’s club transfer is sad for the Silktails as he was such a valuable player, but his signing reflects our Fiji Rugby League Pathway successfully providing development opportunities for our boys.
“The club is obviously disappointed to see Soni go and although he is heading to our partner club being the Roosters, he can’t come back and play games for our Silktails Jersey Flegg team” said Driscoll.
“Being his last year in Jersey Flegg as a 21 year old, it is important Soni progresses with his own rugby league development and pushes for a NSW Cup spot from that end. That along with hanging on to his spot in the national team at the end of the season.”
“This also will allow him to be close to his partner Kuini, who has just given birth to a baby boy named Usaia – named after his late Grandfather. On behalf of everyone at our Club, we want to congratulate them both on the arrival of their new child. Our club will always be there to support Soni and his young family during his Rugby League journey.”
Waqanisaravi came into the Silktails EDP program as an 18 year old at the end of 2021 and he won the Kaiviti Silktails Rising Star award in 2022, and was going between the Silktails and Roosters Jersey Flegg Cup squads during our time in the Ron Massey Cup. He was part of both the Roosters Minor Premiership Squads in 2022 and 2023, and was rewarded with two Fiji Bati Test Caps last season.
Upon his signing with the Sydney Roosters, Waqanisaravi spoke about how grateful he was to the Silktails for helping him get to this point.
“First and foremost I want to take this time to express my gratitude to Petero Civoniceva, Stephen Driscoll and Wes Naiqama for not only giving me the opportunity to be a part of this amazing club for the past 3 years, but also their guidance and mentorship to help me become a better rugby player, and to be a better person” said Waqanisaravi.
“I also want to take this time to give a simple thank you to all the staff and to my teammates that I have met along this journey for all their unwavering support on and off the field. Vinaka.”
Congratulations Soni! Your Silktails Vuvale wish you all the very best in this next chapter.
