Nadi, Naitasiri Match on Hold
The Skipper Cup match between Naitasiri and Nadi this weekend has been postponed due to the clash of ground bookings for Ratu Cakobau Park. Fiji Rugby senior operations officer Tikoibau Matawalu confirmed yesterday that the ground has been booked for the two-day Fiji Bitter Tabadamu sevens.
Naitasiri is supposed to be hosting the match.
The postponement is a blessing in disguise for the Jetset town senior side as they have another week to prepare for the encounter.
Nadi senior men’s team manager Epeli Qoro knows that Naitasiri will have the advantage of their home ground and crowd.
“We will need to improve on a few things including our discipline and scrums and we have another week to work on them,” Qoro said.
“Our set-pieces are also something we’ve been working on. “Naitasiri is one of the best teams in the Skipper Cup competition and to play at home before their home crowd is to their advantage. “We’re up for the challenge and we will give them a good game; we respect them.”
Qoro indicated that losing their fullback, Tomasi Ralulu, will not affect their side.
Ralulu has been rested due to a concussion at last week’s match against Namosi where Nadi won 34-16.
“We have other players to step up to the fullback role and we have an extra week to get it rolling for the replacement,” Qoro said.
“We have a wide pool and depth of players for selection every week, so Ralulu’s absence is not an excuse. We have a lot of younger players who are part of our development squad.”
Meanwhile Nadi is yet to appoint their head coach; the team is cocoached by Saula Rabaka and Aca Rabibi.
Qoro indicated that Nadi’s former coach Cohan Politini has joined the national Under-20 coaching staff.