Top rugby clashes
Yasawa to miss 7s duo
YASAWA will miss the services of its key Fiji 7s players for the Farebrother Sullivan Trophy Challenge/Skipper Cup doubleheader against Namosi at the ANZ Stadium in Suva this afternoon.
National 7s reps Kalione Nasoko and Napolioni Ratu are on the casuality list together with new national 7s training squad member Kitione Salawa.
Yasawa manager Timoci Saukawa said they had capable players to fill in those big roles but they would have to rise up to the challenge against the trophy holders.
He said the Farebrother Sullivan Trophy level was higher than the Skipper Cup competition.
“We entered the Skipper Cup this year from the Vanua Championship last year and the boys are still learning to compete at this level,” Saukawa said.
“So our players will need to step up against Namosi. There are a few injury concerns in the team. Our 7s boys Kalione, Kiti (Kitione) and Napolioni won’t be playing because of injuries.”
Despite a dismal showing in the Skipper Cup recently, the diehard fans have stuck with their Yasawa team turning up in numbers to support them in every game.
Saukawa said the support would be bigger for Yasawa as they challenge for the prized trophy for the first time.
“We expect a large number of fans to travel for the game at the ANZ Stadium especially from the villages in the Yasawa Group,” he said.
“The buses have been booked to take them to Suva. There will also be a wave of support for the Yasawa Flyers from Ba, Lautoka, Nadi, Sigatoka and Suva as well, since they are challenging for the first time.”
Peni Matawalu represented Namosi. On the other hand, Nadroga, after losing the opportunity to wrest the Farebrother-Sullivan Trophy from Namosi at Ratu Cakobau Park, got back to winning ways but had to dig deep to beat Tailevu 23-18.
Ardent Tailevu fans and my friends from Nabua Secondary School Salote Saininaivalu, Lavenia Marama and Eleni Ikadroka were expecting a Tailevu win but the green machine lacked the armoury to tame the Stallions although they came close to creating an upset. Jo Makaba in his article ‘Stallions survive wrath’ in the Sunday Times (27/09) reported that home ground advantage helped Nadroga beat Tailevu 23-18 in a close finish. Jo, who covered the 2019 RWC 15s tournament in the Land of the Brave Blossoms, stated that
the win had kept Nadroga’s hopes of making the cup semi-finals at the end of the season alive. The Stallions, after the win, finished third after the completion of round three and should finish second best if they are able to outclass Naitasiri. In round one, Naitasiri beat Nadroga 9-6 via the boots of pivot Tuidraki Samusamuvodre who landed a penalty at Lawaqa Park to break thousands of Nadroga hearts.
In the return match today, fans are in for a treat as head coach Dr Tuisese Jr has named a strong line-up to face Nadroga. Naitasiri, which leads Nadroga by two points and sits second on the Skipper Cup points table with 32 points, will rely on players such as Joeli Veitayaki, Seremaia Naureure, Necani Nawaqadau, Tomasi Naiduki, Sireli Kaloucava, Jone Navuso, Kini Douglas, Epeli Ratabacaca, Kaliova Mocetadra, Seveci Nakailagi and Anasa Qaranivalu. Yesterday,
Suva played Tailevu while Nadi will face neighbours Lautoka and Yasawa will face Farebrother-Sullivan Trophy holders Namosi. These uphill battles will add excitement to the Skipper Cup round four competition as Tailevu, Yasawa and Lautoka avoid relegation. Suva plans to retain its top status and Nadroga, Naitasiri and Namosi chase a home semifinal berth. We expect fans to come out in numbers and cheer for their provincial teams.
Yesterday, as reported by Noa Biudole (FT: 02/10), siblings Ananai Rabonu and Jope Tikomailepanoni, would have donned the blue jumper, alongside rising star Taniela Sadrugu.
I’m sure Suva skipper John Stewart will agree with me that Suva will continue to be humble and keep up with the momentum as teams will be coming prepared to upset them.
The Nadroga v Naitasiri match will be the feature match and I thank FBC for bringing the match to thousands of Fijians who will not be able to make it to Ratu Cakobau Park.
I’ll be at the Fiji Hideaway Resort and Spa attending a workshop but my heart will be in Nausori and I’m keeping my fingers crossed for an upset. I wish the Stallions all the best!
Hakwa Nadro hakwa! Keitou ga sa rawata!