Lautoka wary of Macuata

Lautoka is not taking Macuata lightly when they host them this Saturday for their Skipper Cup clash at Churchill Park Ground 3. Secretary Seta Rakoto made the comment yesterday as the Sugar City men prepare for giant killers Macuata.

Macuata mowed down Nadi 1713 at Subrail Park last Saturday. The Maroons are hoping to book their first win after losing in the last two rounds to Nadi and Suva respectively; they know that the Babasiga men will not give them an easy match.

“We know it will be not a walk in the park against Macuata,” Rakoto said.

“They (Macuata) defeated Nadi last week so we are doing our preparations accordingly. “A major area that we’re working on is our discipline, we had three yellow cards last week and it cost us the game.

“We also gave away too many penalties.”

Rakoto added that the Maroons hope to restore their rugby glory days.

They have a pool of 60 players in their extended training squad which they select their side from; most of whom are young players applying at the Skipper Cup level for the first time.

“We only have about five players who have experience playing at Skipper level.

“There have been a lot of changes and developments in rugby over the years, it has evolved,” he said.

“While the training methods have changed we hope to lift Lautoka rugby to where it was before.”

The union is working to bridge the gap between high school rugby and the provincial level. Rakoto indicated that they have roped in some high school students to play for their Under-20 side.

Lautoka will miss the service of their flanker Apete Pulumeau who is injured.

RESULTS

ROUND 2 RESULTS

SKIPPER CUP

Senior: Lautoka 21-28 Suva, Macuata 17-13 Nadi, Naitasiri 25-19 Tailevu, Nadroga 41-24 Namosi, Ba 38-28 Yasawa

Under-20: Nadroga 28-10 Namosi, Naitasiri 13-10 Tailevu, Macuata 15-18 Nadi, Ba 51-14 Yasawa, Lautoka 11-30 Suva

ANZ Marama

Senior: Namosi 58-10 Nadroga, Lautoka 7-36 Suva, Nasinu 22-37 Nadi,

Naitasiri 37-15 Tailevu

Under-20: Namosi 60-15 Nadroga, Lautoka 12-66 Suva, Nasinu 0-79 Nadi, Naitasiri 26-15 Tailevu

Vodafone Vanua

Navosa 10-24 Malolo, Nasinu 2514 Rewa, Kadavu 20-23 Serua,

Bua 12-0 Taveuni, Ra 31-7 Cakaudrove, Ovalau 37-7 Northern Bulls, Tavua 6-20 Northland, Vatukoula 29-17 Nanukuloa

Ranadi Cup

Ba 29-31 Malolo, Macuata 31-12 Cakaudrove, Kadavu 41-10 Serua, Bua 0-41 Taveuni, Ra 20-24 Tavua, Ovalau 15-12 Northern Bulls, Rewa v Northland – Called off, Vatukoula 20-10 Nanukuloa