Reds fired-up for tonight’s clash against Waratahs
ANadroga and former Flying Fijians hooker Ratunaisa Navuma (second from left) in full flight during Nadroga’s training session at Lawaqa Park, Sigatoka on July 1, 2020. Photo: ll Flying Fijians and overseas based- players who wish to join the Nadroga rugby team for the Skipper Cup Premiership competition must first attend their training sessions.
With two weeks away from the double header clash against Skipper Cup champions Suva, the Stallions camp has no time to waste.
Speaking to SUNsports Nadroga Rugby president Tiko Matawalu said they would only consider players that turn up for training.
“I’ve been receiving calls from a few players who want to join the team,” Matawalu said.
“The door is open, provided they turn up for training here at Lawaqa Park.
“It’s a norm in Nadroga that we don’t look at big names or reputation because we have a lot of talented young players with us.
“And also to our fans be rest assured that rumours of Nadroga players leaving for other provincial teams are not true. We are currently training with those boys.”
Nadroga Tens
Meanwhile, with restrictions eased and sports given the green light after following the Safe Sports Fiji protocols, Nadroga Rugby will kick-off their club competition with a 10s competition.
“The Nadroga Rugby franchise competition (Waqe ni Sikina) 2019-2020 was abruptly disturbed during the COVID-19 stand down with five rounds left to complete before the playoffs,” said Matawalu.
“Upon our review, we have decided to restart our season with a tens tournament before finishing our franchise competition later in the season.
“We are therefore re-starting our rugby season with the tens tournament scheduled for July 10- 11 and 17-18.
The competition will be in the following categories- Seniors (men and women), Under-19, U17 and U15 grades.” Matawalu said the NRU annual general meeting would be held on July 18 with the venue yet to be confirmed. simione.haravanua@ fijisun.com.fj
Brisbane: Reds captain Liam Wright says he’s looking forward to “smashing some New South Welshmen” in an early sign there will be plenty of fire in Friday night’s Super Rugby AU opener.
The Waratahs brought in Blues Origin great Paul Gallen to speak about the Queensland-NSW rivalry and Queensland have their own State of Origin hero in coach Brad Thorn to spice things up.
Wright was confident that Thorn wouldn’t need to prod the Reds group to try and spark any extra motivation for the interstate clash.
“He’s our own Paul Gallen,” Wright joked, referring to Thorn. “But he didn’t need to pump us up too much. We’re Queenslanders and Queensland want to smash New South Wales. “It’s in the water up here.” The Reds and Waratahs didn’t cross paths in this year’s ultimately cancelled Super Rugby campaign but Queensland bested their southern rivals in a preseason trial in Dalby.
Meanwhile, Waratahs coach Rob Penney expects tonight’s Super Rugby AU opener to be the first of many NSW caps for rookie no. 8 Will Harris.
Harris will debut at no. 8, alongside Lachie Swinton and Michael Hooper in the NSW backrow, pushing World Cup Wallaby Jack Dempsey to the bench.
“I think anyone that’s seen Will Harris play will understand he’s an outstanding footballer,” Penney said.
“He’s got a great work rate, is a very good decision maker and is someone that is going to come on quickly, we think, and establish himself into this level of rugby quite quickly.
“He’s got good intelligence, good emotional intelligence, leadership potential, there are a lot of qualities to like about Will.”
Fijian wingers Filipo Daugunu of the Reds and Mark Nawaqanitawae of the Waratahs have been named in the opening line-up.
The match kicks-off at 9.05pm
The door is open, provided they turn up for training here at Lawaqa Park.
LINE-UP
Reds: 1. Harry Hoopert, 2. Brandon PaengaAmosa, 3. Taniela Tupou, 4. Angus Blyth, 5. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 6. Liam Wright, 7. Fraser McReight,
8. Harry Wilson, 9. Tate McDermott, 10. James O’Connor, 11. Filipo Daugunu, 12. Hamish Stewart, 13. Hunter Paisami, 14. Jock Campbell, 15. Bryce Hegarty.
Reserves: 16. Alex Mafi, 17. JP Smith, 18. Josh Nasser, 19. Tuaina Taii Tualima, 20. Angus ScottYoung, 21. Scott Malolua, 22. Chris Feauai-Sautia,
23. Josh Flook*
Waratahs: 1. Angus Bell, 2. Robbie Abel, 3. Harry Johnson-Holmes, 4. Ned Hanigan, 5. Rob Simmons (C), 6. Lachlan Swinton, 7. Michael Hooper, 8. Will Harris, 9. Mitch Short, 10. Will Harrison, 11. Mark Nawaqanitawase, 12. Joey Walton, 13. Alex Newsome, 14. James Ramm, 15. Jack Maddocks. Reserves: 16. Tom Horton, 17. Tetera Faulkner,
18. Tiaan Tauakipulu, 19. Tom Staniforth, 20. Jack Dempsey, 21. Michael McDonald, 22. Ben Donaldson, 23. Tepai Moeroa.
FIXTURES
SUPER RUGBY AU: Tonight- 9.05pm Reds v Waratahs; Saturday- 9.15pm Brumbies v Rebels
AOTEAROA: Saturday- 7.05pm Highlanders v Crusaders; Sunday- 3.35pm Chiefs v Hurricanes. Rugby.com.au
SUPER RUGBY