When Tevita Wanisi arrived at the Kaiviti Silktails, he had never played rugby league.
The teenager from Fiji’s remote Lau Islands stood at 6’3 and weighed just 67kg.
Three years later, he has developed into a 6’6, 100kg winger and earned a spot in the Canterbury Bulldogs senior pathway program.
“He's a beautiful kid who comes from humble beginnings,” said Silktails assistant coach Joey Saukuru. “But it’s his willingness to learn and ability to improve that have set him apart.”
Following a standout 2026 Jersey Flegg campaign, Wanisi has become one of the biggest aerial threats, playing a crucial role in the Silktails’ tryscoring success.
“He’s worked hard on his defensive game, and he’s scoring runaway tries," Saukuru said.
“He's only played three years of football, and he's learnt his trade."
Playing on Wanisi’s inside, 20-year-old Maikeli Sadranu has emerged as the Silktails' first-choice five-eighth, with a journey to elite rugby league just as compelling as his winger.
For the young playmaker, getting to training is no easy feat.
“He comes from an island just off Lautoka, where we are based,” Saukuru said.
"He catches a boat to the wharf before running to training. He usually gets to training on time and is already warmed up.”
Beyond Sadranu’s unconventional journey to training, it’s the sacrifices he makes away from the game that have left the biggest impression on the Silktails coaches and administrators.
Saukuru recalled asking the young playmaker what he did when he wasn’t at training. The answer said everything.
“Sir, when I get home from training, I go diving. I dive to feed and sell seafood for my family. I rest during the day, then I come to training on the boat, get the boat back home, then get ready to dive.”
With one more year of Jersey Flegg eligibility remaining, Kaiviti Silktails executive director Stephen Driscoll is hopeful Sadranu will be selected for the 2028 Bulldogs senior pathway.
“I’m not sure how many NRL clubs have players catching a boat to training and not coming to recoveries on Mondays because they are diving at night to feed their family,” said Driscoll.
For Driscoll, the success of Wanisi and Sadranu embodies exactly why the Fiji Silktails pathway was created.
“When you think about the Silktails, Tevita and Maikeli epitomise what we’re all about.”
Driscoll emphasises that the Silktails program is underpinned by work, study and education. After identifying athletes from the age of 16, the program strives to keep them engaged in education and employment.
"We run a strict policy around no work, no study, no play," he said.
“From a holistic point of view, we’re creating standards and building better young men in Fiji. It’s about creating a work ethic at a young age.
“Keeping them in school is really important. We work closely with the teachers on managing attendance.”
The program prepares young men for elite sporting pathways, but more importantly, provides real-world guidance, structure and support.
“We are honest with our players. Not everyone is going to make professional rugby league,” said Driscoll.
"But everyone can have a better life once they leave the program.”
As Fiji grapples with a range of social challenges, Saukuru believes the Silktails program acts as a guiding light.
“There are real things that are happening in Fiji with drugs and youth. This program and rugby league are a positive shining light. In that aspect, we are leading the way," he said.
“We are beating the drum, giving these kids a future and a positive direction in life.
“Our coaches have travelled to the most remote parts of Fiji’s interior and outer islands in search of talent."
Beyond talent identification, the Silktails are steadfast in pushing education before play.
Working with Westpac to conduct a ‘Catch and Pass’ program in schools that requires students to complete a financial literacy course before learning the fundamentals of rugby league.
“Everything we do is underpinned by that mentality, particularly for our young kids, that if they want to come out in the field and have fun, they have to get their work done first," said Driscoll.
“The kids from their remote areas really thrive in these experiences because they don’t usually get access to these programs."
The Silktails face unique challenges compared to Australian clubs. While many Australian players enter elite development systems in their early teens, the Silktails’ athletes often arrive in their late teens having never played rugby league before.
Wanisi and Sadranu are a testament to the Silktails program, highlighting the outcomes that can be achieved through support and perseverance.
“The Silktails are rugby league with a difference,” said Driscoll.
"When we’re out on the field, we’re all playing the same game, but these guys all have their own stories.
"We have so many challenges along the way to get these players to this point, but it's all worth it in the end."
