Bola: Any Team Will Do For Suva

Suva rugby captain Samu Bola fisted the air at the sound of the final whistle as they survived Jack’s Nadi onslaught 25-18 to book a spot in the Skipper Cup semifinals.

The former Flying Fijians flanker told SUNsports yesterday that they are prepared to take on any team in the semifinals.

“I kept urging the boys to be strong and maintain their discipline when one of our players got yellow-carded and we’re defending right on our line in the final moments of the game,” he said.

Nadi started strongly as they spun the ball wide and broke through the Suva defence. Fancy footwork in the 5th minute by Nadi first-five eight Sela Toga opened up a gap for centre Serupepeli Turuva who was brought down short of the line and from the quick recycle flanker Peceli Katonawale crashed over for the opening try, which was not converted.

Suva lost their flanker Peni Raidre due to a shoulder injury and was replaced by Temo Maiyanavanua. Poor passes and taking wrong options were the hallmark of Suva’s play.

In the 16th minute a Suva backline move saw fullback Rusiate Tiqa losing the ball after copping a tackle and picking it up was Nadi winger Semesa Muadonu who ran in an easy try with Toga adding the extras for a 12-0 lead.

This woke up the hosts with burly No.8 Jitoko Usumaki, halfback Seru Cavuilati and Sitiveni Kunaga leading the charge.

In the 29th minute Suva centre Eroni Sau broke through two tackles to set-up Mosese Tikoduadua to score their first try with the conversion missing.

Trailing 12-5 the big Suva forwards drove Nadi back and camped close to their try line. In the 34th minute Suva got a penalty try after Nadi intentionally collapsed the scrum when they were driven back in a five metre scrum. The scores levelled at 12-12.

Right on halftime, a backline move saw Cavuilati darting down the blindside and off-loaded a pass to Tiqa who created the space for nippy winger Alasio Naduva to run around Sevuloni Lutu to score under the post, which was converted by Tikoduadua.

Suva 19-12

It was a scrappy affair in the second half with Tikoduadua and Toga trading penalties to bring the final scores to 25-18.

Usumaki and Cavuilati combined well from the base of the scrum when Suva were down 12-0 and this led to the comeback win.

Nadi coach Savenaca Aria said: ‘We’re still on a rebuilding stage. From the position where the Nadi Rugby Union was in last year, we’ve brought it up. This is a new team and we are building them up for next year. Today’s game I was not happy with some of the decisions made by the referee.”

Apisai Vatubuli, Tevita Seru, Samuela Newa, Alipate Mataivelia, Peni Naulago, Samu Bola ©, Peni Raidre, Jitoko Usumaki, Seru Cavuilati, Mosese Tikoduadua, Alasio Naduva, Sitiveni Kunaga, Eroni Sau, Levani Kurumudu, Rusiate Tiqa. Reserves: Semi Keli, Eneri Lotawa, Luke Tagi, Apisai Tavuyara, Temo Maiyanavanua, Peni Matawalu, Waisea Koroibacuqu, Hoseva Vurewa.

Eroni Sau

Veniona Toga, Viliame Tui, Navitalai Visawaqa, Samuela Saqiwa ©, Aporosa Saukuru, Asivurusi Nauga, Peceli Katonawale, Jiuta Takubu, Marika Tivitivi, Sela Toga, Semesa Muadonu, Jock Liuta, SerupepeIi Turuva, Orisi Eranavula, Sevuloni Lutu. Reserves: Meli Draunidalo, Ron Katonivere, Viliame Richard, Viliame Ratute, Joeli Lesavua, Luke Navuwai, Tevita Taga, Josateki Turuva.

Semesa Muadonu Ratu Cakobau Park Nausori Firm

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