Raiders fail to sign Fijian trio

Waisale Suka, a Fijian international, was turned down for a work permit at Barrow

Barrow Raiders chairman Des Johnston has confirmed the Fijian trio of Waisale Suka, Alipate Tani and Sevania Korio will no longer join the club.

The UK Border Agency decided not to award the players visas and Johnston said he will look elsewhere to strengthen the squad.

"It's not the fault of the players," he told BBC Radio Cumbria.

"We'll be looking elsewhere, that's a final decision. I've drawn a line under it, they won't be coming."

Meanwhile Raiders' 12-4 win against Widnes ensured their progress into the last eight of the Northern Rail Cup.

And with one eye on the Super League franchise, a win in a major cup competition would be a massive boost to Barrow's hopes of attracting interest from the Rugby Football League come 2012.

"This is one of the competitions that will tick the right boxes in qualifying for Super league," he said.

"There's going to be a lot of hard work if we're going to get to Super League, but there's been a lot of hard work from people over the last three years.

"With more performances like that it makes it all worthwhile."

Meanwhile Raiders have a home tie to Blackpool in Sunday's Challenge Cup Third Round game.