Katonibau, Tawake and Stewart boost Suva’s Farebrother challenge
The clash will be played at Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka. Kickoff time: 3pm
Inspirational Vodafone Fijian 7s utility player Isake Katonibau is tipped to play a crucial role in Jack’s Suva rugby team’s HFC Farebrother-Sullivan Trophy challenge against holders BLK Nadroga on Saturday. Katonibau trained with the Suva side yesterday and is expected to be named into the final 23-member squad. Speaking to SUNsports, Suva rugby coach Saiasi Fuli said they need a player of Katonibau’s calibre as he will inject experience into the side. Also, joining the training run was Vodafone Flying Fijians prop Kalivati Tawake and utility back John Stewart.
“We will finalise our final line-up tomorrow,” Fuli said.
“Isake is part of the squad and he has been working hard for the past three weeks. Hopefully, he will earn a spot as he will bring in a lot of experience and aggression into the team.”
Also likely to make the team are Tawake who was impressive during the June Test matches against Australia, Italy and Scotland along with Stewart.
Fuli admitted that his young players had failed to stuck to their game plan when they went down 35-12 to Nadroga in the Skipper Cup semifinal clash. “During the semifinal we started well in the first half but lost composure in the 20th minute where Nadroga scored two quick tries and even though we came back strongly in the last quarter it was too late.
“The Farebrother challenge is a different game from the Skipper Cup and we need to utilise every opportunity that comes our way.”
The former national halfback believes they would need to focus on their game plan against the Stallions.
“For a team to play against Nadroga we need to maintain our concentration and composure. Also we need to organise our defence for the whole 80 minutes.” The clash will be played at Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka. Kickoff time: 3pm.