Stallions optimistic
AFTER a break, the Skipper Cup is set to roll this week and the Stallions face an ever-improving Nadi side which thumped Lautoka in its last Skipper Cup match.
The Jetsetters made a bold statement in their 37-9 win over an errorridden Maroons outfit on a soggy Prince Charles Park. Nadi played like men possessed and produced a brilliant offensive effort to avenge its earlier loss in the first round. Nadroga thrashed Nadi 29-13 in round one at Prince Charles Park but this time the Ilai Derenalagi-coached side is coming on a high.
Nadi is five points away from displacing Nadroga who sits on fourth position with 31 points.
Fans who have watched past rugby clashes between Nadroga and Nadi have been entertained to an exciting and brutal affair and one match that comes to mind is the 1995 Benson and Hedges clash between Nadroga and Nadi at Prince Charles Park. On Saturday 7th October 1995, Nadro ended Nadi’s reign at Prince Charles Park in Nadi with a compact display of running and enterprising rugby to end Nadi’s three yearold hold on the Benson and Hedges Cup.
The Stallions mesmerised fans and scored three dashing tries while Nadi got one consolation try in the dying minutes.
The late Paula Tagivetaua reported that (FT: 09/10/95), “Nadi’s attempts to break the Nadroga line was neutralised by smother tackles and the manner in which Nadroga cut up Nadi with scissors, slicing runs, dummies and superb support play left the 12,000 sunburnt fans wondering where traditional Fijian rugby had gone to.” Nadroga president Peter Hughes attributed the win to the result of five years of development programs.
Nadroga played an expansive game – the slick combination, deft hands and air of confidence contributed to the adventurism of Nadroga players. On the other hand, Nadi president Dr Osea Tuidraki hailed Nadroga and conceded defeat, saying that the side lost to a better team.
The Stallions erupted from the first whistle and hit the hosts with lightning hits. Nadroga’s tries were scored by former All Black Aisea Tuilevu, current coach Esala Nauga and Aminiasi Naituyaga. Nadi’s Opeti Turuva kicked two penalties while Ilaitia Savai scored Nadi’s consolation try. It was Nadro’s day as players such as Peniasi Damu, Eminoni Batimala, the late Isaia Rasila, Aminiasi Naituyaga, Leveni Vatureba, Ilaitia Tuisese, Samu Vunaki, Ifereimi Tawake, Napolioni Vitau, Jonetani Waqa, Esala Nauga, Sunia Nasilasila, Jona Qio, Ilaitia Nabewa, Aisea Tuilevu and Sirilo Lala stormed Prince Charles Park against Nadi with players such as Ulaiasi Samo, Manasa Vuna, Livai Rasala, Sitiveni Matalulu, Ilaitia Savai, Rusiate Saukuru, Marika Korovou, Manasa Qoro, Lalai Driu, Apisai Nagata, Opeti Turuva, Savenaca Aria, Tanivulani Mudu, Jolame Nadolo, Ponipate Bainivalu and Rasolosolo Bogisa.
That match brought out a lot of emotions and former Nadroga and Nadi players will recall those thrilling moments which I’m sure Nadroga will use as a motivational tool to beat Nadi. Tiko Matawalu’s thoughts in The Fiji Times (08/10), “Our theme for the rest of the season is ‘it’s not over until it’s over’,” brightened my day.
After a glorious 2019 season, the Stallions have had a rough ride in the Skipper Cup recording three losses in round two in their away games against Suva, Naitasiri and Namosi. With three rounds to go, Fiji’s traditional giants face Nadi, Yasawa and Lautoka and must win their remaining matches to secure a semi-final spot as they face pressure from neighbours Nadi.
In his interview with Eroni Tuinuku (08/10), Nadroga Rugby Union president Tiko Matawalu shared his opinion of how Nadroga performed against Naitasiri last week. He alluded to injuries that the senior players Ulaiasi Lewavou, Apete Salawaqavuka, Rupeni Nasiga, Jiuta Lutumailagi, Emosi Vucago and Ratunaisa Navuma were carrying and how the new blood had stepped in to fill the shoes of these experienced players.
Tiko was apt with his thoughts, “Our focus now is to take each game as it comes.
“We are going through our transitional phase and that is normal in life.
“The best we can do is to collect ourselves, regroup, press the reset button and move forward together.”
It’s good to finally see Nadroga use their new blood and give the senior players a rest. This is the way forward. Eroni Tuinuku reported (FT: 14/10) that Kaliova Mocetadra, who was part of the Nadroga Stallions training squad for two years, joined the Naitasiri team after coach Dr Ilaitia Tuisese Jr gave him an opportunity to showcase his talents in the Highlanders jumper.
Hence, Nadroga shoud start using their development players or risk losing them to the other provincial unions like Namosi, Naitasiri and Suva. Finally, the news report titled ‘Nadroga presses reset button’ in yesterday’s The Fiji Times by Eroni Tuinuku was a lovely read. It reported that the Stallions wanted to reassure its fans that there was light at the end of every tunnel and for that the team management had made positional changes for the last three rounds of the Skipper Cup.
The report shared light on how the Stallions had regrouped and made use of the sand dunes for the past few days before they faced Nadi.
According to former Nadroga player and a member of our national 7s team Sirilo Lala, “Nadroga was known as the champion of local rugby competitions in previous years because they had one training environment that no other team has.
“The sand dunes give players extra power and strength to play throughout the 80 minutes so the coaches need to return to the dunes where it will bring out the true nature of Nadroga in the rugby field.”
The Nadroga vs Nadi battle at Lawaqa Park will draw a lot of attention and I pray that the Stallions make their home fans happy.
I conclude by thanking our journalist Waisale Koroiwasa for his article on Aminiasi Siga titled ‘Chasing dreams’ in The Fiji Times (14/10) and for his article titled ‘When age matters, young reps turn heads’ in The Sunday Times!
Both articles touched the hearts of rugby fans and I loved reading them. Vinaka vakalevu Wise!