Workington coach Rotheram picks out two Fijian dangermen

By Helen Thompson

Last updated 12:34, Wednesday, 19 November 2008

Workington Town coach Dave Rotheram has had a sneak preview of the touring Australian Fijians during his time Down Under.

Rotheram took a look at his club’s pre-season opposition and has named a couple of players who will be worth watching at Derwent Park on November 30.

Hamilton Hughes and hooker James Storer were both singled out of the recently named touring squad by Rotheram.

“I have seen the Fiji squad who are coming to England,” said Rotheram, who returns to England on Friday.

“A couple of players to look out for are Hamilton Hughes who Peter Walsh thinks the world of and another player who has played in the World Cup is hooker James Storer.”

There will be some familiar faces for Town fans in the Fijian side with three players from last season’s NL2 champions Gateshead Thunder named in the 19-man squad.

Powerful prop Tabua Cakacaka and second rower Neitani Suka join new Thunder signing Puna Rasaubele, the ex London Skolars forward. Former Town coach Peter Walsh, who rates Hughes in particular, will be travelling with the Australian Fijians as a consultant.

He will join up once more with one of his star players at Derwent Park in prop James Pickering, who is now the AFRL chairman and interim coach.

He will be assisted by Steve Driscoll, while former Souths and Balmain player Tere Glassie will join the staff to help fill the void left by former coach Arthur Kitinas.

Glassie has just returned from a five year stint in the UK with Oldham, Leigh, Castleford and Dewsbury.

The AFRL squad is: Hamilton Hughes (Moore Park Broncos), Samu Wara (North Sydney Bears), Junior Rika (Parramatta Eels), Daryl Jang (Cronulla Cobras), Waisale Naiqama (Sydney Bulls), Seva Koroi (Wests Magpies), Nacanieli Kini Kini (Moore Park Broncos), Ratu Tagive (Sydney Roosters), James Lagiloa ( Moore Park Broncos), Joe Delana (Wentwothville Magpies), Lepani Waqa (St Mary’s), Eloni Vunakece (Balmain Tigers), Esala Vute (Moore Park Broncos), Suli Koroibulileka (Sydney Bulls), James Storer (Cronulla Cobras), Alfred Mcgowan (Moore Park Broncos), Matika Vatuvei (Nelson Bay), Sam Rainimi (Moore Park Broncos), Neitani Suka (Gateshead Thunder), Puna Rasabele (Gateshead Thunder), Tabua Cakacaka (Gateshead Thunder).