Elite pathway continues to deliver opportunities for Fiji’s best young talent
Three of the Kaiviti Silktails’ brightest young stars have taken another major step towards their NRL dreams after signing long-term contracts with the club’s NRL partner, the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs.
Sailosi Molikula, Fia Colati and Weni Turagaitoga have all been rewarded for their outstanding performances on and off the field. Each player will complete the 2026 and 2027 seasons with the Kaiviti Silktails before moving to the Bulldogs for their final year of Jersey Flegg eligibility in 2028.
All three players are still under 19 years of age and represent the next generation of Fijian talent progressing through the Kaiviti Silktails Elite Development Pathway Program.
Their contracts recognize not only their football ability, but also their commitment to the club’s strict work and study requirements, which are a central part of the Silktails’ holistic player development model.
Fia Colati – A Rising Leader Through the Middle
Hailing from Fiji’s Lau Group, Fia Colati has established himself as one of the competition’s leading young middle forwards.
The former Ba Provincial student has forced his way into the Silktails’ starting lock position and has been in outstanding form, winning three consecutive Man of the Match awards.
Colati has been part of the Kaiviti Silktails Elite Development Pathway Program since he was 17 years old and continues to impress through his consistency, professionalism and work ethic.
Away from rugby league, he is employed in the building industry with Lautoka-based company Blue Maroon, balancing work with the demands of elite sport.
Sailosi Molikula – Leading Beyond His Years
From the province of Ra, Sailosi Molikula has rapidly developed into one of the club’s emerging leaders.
The former Queen Victoria School student is the youngest member of the Kaiviti Silktails Leadership Group in 2026, highlighting the respect he has earned from his teammates and coaching staff.
In his first full season of Rugby League he began the year studying at Ba Provincial but recently Molikula has transitioned into full-time employment in the building industry with Blue Maroon. His development reflects the discipline and maturity expected from players within the Silktails program.
Weni Turagaitoga – A Natural Athlete Making a Rapid Rise
In his first season of rugby league, Nadroga product Weni Turagaitoga has emerged as one of the Kaiviti Silktails’ most exciting young prospects.
The former Natabua High School student came through the school’s successful rugby program and was also a member of Natabua’s gold medal-winning 4 x 400-metre relay team at the Coca-Cola Games.
Despite being new to rugby league, Turagaitoga has adapted remarkably quickly. His athletic ability, work ethic and willingness to learn have earned him a contract with the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs.
Off the field, he is employed by Lautoka City Council as a member of its Grass Cutting team, continuing to demonstrate the discipline and strong work ethic that underpin the Silktails’ work and study program.
Bulldogs Partnership Continues to Deliver
The trio now joins exciting fullback Seremaia Ramasima as the four players aged 19 and under currently playing in the Kaiviti Silktails squad while holding Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs contracts.
It is also expected that four senior Silktails players who will age out of the program skipper Gabriel Rawaimila, Alipate Qoro, Noah Rauluni and towering 6’6″ winger Tevita Wanisi – will begin training with the Bulldogs Senior Part-Time Squad when pre-season commences in November.
SILKTAILS SENIOR GRADUATES – BULLDOGS PRE-SEASON 2027
– Club Chairman Petero Civoniceva.
SILKTAILS GRADUATES IN THE BULLDOGS SYSTEM
Former Kaiviti Silktails players Mika Senibua, Samu Ratuvola, Meli Nacaganimasi and Jerry Ramasima are
among the nine Fijians currently apart pf the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs system. Their continued development further demonstrates the strength of the pathway between the two clubs.
Bulldogs Pathways Coach Praises Trio
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs Pathways Coach Craig “POD” Wilson said the contracts were a fitting reward for the sustained application and development shown by Sailosi Molikula, Fia Colati and Weni Turagaitoga.
“Sailosi, Fia and Weni have demonstrated over an extended period that they possess the ability and potential to progress into the higher grades of rugby league. These contracts reward the application they have shown at training, the quality of their attitudes and the consistent effort they have displayed over time.”
“Their progression is a great reflection of the Kaiviti Silktails–Bulldogs partnership and what can be achieved in a relatively short period. The program will continue to provide a positive and genuine pathway towards the NRL for young, home-grown Fijian talent.”
“We have already witnessed the success of former Silktails players progressing through the Bulldogs pathways teams. The next challenge is to help these players take their development to another level and
continue moving towards senior rugby league.”
CEO Praises Players’ Commitment
Kaiviti Silktails CEO Stephen Driscoll said the latest contracts demonstrate the strength of the club’s development model.
“These contracts are recognition of much more than rugby league ability. They reflect the commitment these young men have shown to becoming quality people through our work, study and high-performance program.”
“The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs continue to provide an outstanding pathway for our players, and it is exciting to see another three young Fijians earn this opportunity.”
“Seeing another three young players earn contracts while our senior players prepare to transition into the Bulldogs senior system demonstrates that our pathway is working exactly as intended. It provides our players with a clear progression from Fiji into one of the NRL’s strongest development environments while ensuring they leave our program as better footballers, workers and people.”
