Cowboys Scouts Here, Future Bright For Schoolboys

A top Australian NRL (National Rugby League) club has shown great interest in our schoolboys.

The North Queensland Cowboys views this as a potential recruitment pathway.

This was after Cowboys programmes manag­er, Glenn Hall, and recruitment manager Dane Campbell, were spotted during the Vodafone Fiji Secondary Schools Rugby League quar­terfinal matches at Garvey Park in Tavua last Saturday.

The Cowboys, in 2013, signed up Viliame Ki­kau, who was playing for Marist Brothers High School Storm, in the same competition.

Today, Kikau is one of the highest paid for­ward in the NRL. He starred for Penrith Pan­thers when it won the NRL title last year. Al­ready, Australian media reports indicate that Kikau is to be paid around AUD $3.2million (FJD$4.8m) for the next three years when he joins the Bulldogs from next year.

Last year, the Cowboy recruited Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games gold medallist Iosefo Masi along with Taniela Sadrugu, while rising star winger Laitia Moceidreke had made his NRL debut.

“The Cowboys were always keen to keep an eye on Fiji as a potential recruitment pathway for these kids over here,” Campbell said.

“We love coming here to Fiji and now that the international borders has opened up again, it’s great to get back.”

Campbell said their mission in the country was to witness the three age group elimina­tions because there were many games to watch.

“It’s a busy day and really an enjoyable one for me and some of the boys,” he added.

“Right from Under-15 right through to the Un­der-19 are some good talents. The hardest part is leaving Fiji and not signing 20 Fijians, but there’s certainly a lot of talent here.

“I always encourage other NRL clubs to come across as well and see it as an avenue for these players.

“We’ve got a few boys that have come through this programme now. One day in the future they might become an NRL player as well. They’ve been fantastic.”

Campbell added that they had penciled few players.

The Fiji Secondary Schools Rugby League has confirmed that one of the players is Queen Vic­toria School Under-15 centre, Sailosi Taka.

Feedback: waisean@fijisun.com.fj