LOOKING BACK AT THIS YEAR’S RUGBY JOURNEY
The year that was in the local rugby season
JUST when the provincial rugby teams were gearing up for the Skipper Cup competition and Farebrother-Sullivan Trophy challenge, the COVID-19 pandemic halted their preparations.
One team that was severely affected by this pandemic was the Nadroga rugby team.
The Stallions went to New Zealand with their development team and came back with a lot of valuable lessons. The squad to tour NZ included: Seva Rokotuinaceva, Luke Salaba, Tomasi Lotawa, Tomasi Mara, Setefano Somoca and Jone Koroiduadua (props), Sitiveni Natoko and Jonetani Kunavula (hooker), Netani Tabua, Semisi Nakokorava and Manueli Ratuniyarawa (locks), Mosese Tui, Aminiasi Naituyaga and Josaia Nacika (flanker), Lilo Veseivalu and Emosi Vucago (half-backs), Vilimone Bainibure and Peni Kedralevu (first five), Josese Kurokavu and Lisala Hugavou (second five), Aminio Bitomagimagi and Joseph Cavu (centres), Avimeleki Nadeba and Kalivati Mocetadra (wing) and Eroni Bakabaka (full back). Like all the other provincial teams, Nadroga had the Skipper Cup and the Farebrother Sullivan Trophy at the back of their minds.
The Stallions had twice lost to Suva in the final of the Skipper Cup in 2018 and 2019 after their winning run from 2011 to 2017. The blue brigade had ended Nadroga’s seven-in-a-row dominance in the Skipper Cup competition after beating the Stallions in 2018 (36-35) and in 2019 (34-26). Nadroga had lost the Skipper Cup, but Fiji’s powerhouse had the Farebrother-Sullivan Trophy. The rugby season in Fiji started in the Coral Coast with the McDonald’s Coral Coast 7s tournament in January. However, before the Coral Coast 7s tournament, the Tabadamu 7s team successfully defended the title of their own tournament at Prince Charles Park, and automatically qualified for the Fiji Coral Coast 7s.
This is after they thrashed Raiwasa Resort Taveuni 33-10 in the cup final. At the Coral Coast 7s tournament, legendary Fijian winger Rupeni Caucau, who scored one of the tournament’s best tries against Scotland during the 2003 RWC tournament, was inducted into the hall of fame. Our guests for the Coral Coast 7s tournament were England 7s skipper Ben Gollings and former dual international Lote Tuqiri. In the U19 grade.
Tuva beat Brothers 15-10, while the Fijiana Development side won the Women’s Competition of the McDonald’s Coral Coast 7s tournament after beating Fiji Airports Nadi Aviators 247. Raijeli Daveua was named the Player of the Tournament while Aloesi Nakoci was the highest try scorer. In the main competition, Police outclassed Ratu Filise 17-14. Our 7s coach Gareth Baber and our ‘Little Master’ Jerry Tuwai walked away with the Best Coach and Best Sportsman Awards at the Fiji Sports Awards night.
The Fiji Times veteran photographer Rama won accolades for capturing the photo of Ratu Meli Derenalagi as he was tackled by Nick Malouf during the Hamilton 7s tournament. As teams prepared for the Marist 7s tournament at the ANZ Stadium, the Glen Cakautini-captained Tabadamu 7s side aimed to win their first ever Fiji Bitter Nawaka 7s tournament at Prince Charles Park, and they wanted to dedicate the victory to their team manager, the late Leone Naikasau Sr who collapsed at the ground and later died at the Nadi Hospital. The incident happened after their 31-12 victory over Army Green. However, Police Blue defeated Police White 31-19 in the Cup final.
My pillar of strength, my mother passed away in March, and I had lost interest in sports, but then the COVID-19 pandemic break allowed me to compile articles for readers as the rugby season came to a halt. I penned articles on Fiji’s Olympics win, the great Fijian comeback in 2007 as Fiji defeated South Africa, the All Blacks and Samoa to win the 2007 Adelaide 7s tournament, the outing on the glorious 2018/18 WRSS circuit, the disappointing 2019/2020 WRSS outing, memories of Wellington, our RWC 7s wins in 1997 and 2005, Serevi’s moment of brilliance in 2000 during the dying seconds of the Brisbane 7s tournament final, our 2009 HK 7s win and a look back at Super Rugby. As rugby kicked off in Fiji and overseas, my interest was back with Nadroga rugby and the Super Rugby Aotearoa as the Crusaders, Blues, Brumbies, Chiefs and Highlanders battled each other. On the other hand, one of the key reminders of the COVID-19 pandemic and TC Harold was the spirit and character displayed by the Nadroga rugby team as the Hakwa Foundation was formed, and Selita Donu had an extensive coverage in The Fiji Times. The Nadroga rugby team toured Vatulele and Kadavu, and the boys helped with the rehabilitation work. The Nadroga Rugby Union was commended for reaching out to the villages of Vatulele who were affected by TC Harold with supplies of clothing and groceries. Nadroga Rugby Union used this exercise as part of their team bonding and to visit places that were affected by TC Harold.
It delighted me to read that assistance was part and parcel of Nadroga Rugby Union’s values and that the giants of Fiji rugby had planned further assistance to villagers in Lau and Kadavu affected by TC Harold. The team also visited the former players like Peniasi Damu, and this bonding was highlighted on social media. Nadroga started their 2020 rugby campaign with a bang, and the Stallions beat Suva in the double-header at Lawaqa Park by 15-13 after they were awarded a penalty try. However, the Stallions failed the test against Namosi, and the visitors walked away with the Farebrother-Sullivan Trophy.
The Stallions then lost to Naitasiri at home, and this string of losses hurt their ardent fans. Esala Nauga and Tiko Matawalu were under pressure as Nadroga’s prestige and identity were at stake. The Stallions led the Skipper Cup points table when round one completed, but the loss to Suva, Naitasiri and Namosi grounded their chances of a top finish. Nadroga came close to dethroning Namosi, but wrong options and ill-discipline cost them the Farebrother-Sullivan Trophy, which was claimed by Nadi against Namosi 22-21 at the ANZ Stadium. Nadi defended the prestigious trophy against Tailevu 28-10 at Prince Charles Park. Nadroga faced Naitasiri at Ratu Cakobau Park in the semi-final of the Skipper Cup, and the red card to Ratunaisa Navuma cost the Stallions dearly as they lost 2017. Nadroga was down 17-10, but they came from behind and scored a try to super sub Luke Salaba. Jiuta Lutumailagi missed the penalty that could have sealed Naitasiri’s fate, but a late penalty took the hosts through to the final, who lost the final to Suva after their captain was red carded. End of the rugby season for Nadroga, and the Stallions finished the season without a trophy, and the possibility of losing their president Tiko Matawalu. Two players who featured prominently for Nadroga — Jone Koroiduadua and Manueli Ratuniyarawa were roped in by Vern Cotter to be part of the Flying Fijians Autumn Test tour.
This year we lost our former 15s coach George Simpkin, and Lemeki Koroi, who scored the winning try against South Africa in the final of the 1997 RWC 7s tournament. Koroi, who played for Prisons and was roped into the training squad by the late Rupeni Ravonu, will be missed by 7s fans. As days unfolded, the Marist 7s tournament was organised by Lawrence Tikaram and his group and the CK Ezy Buy sponsored-Tabadamu side won the 44th Fiji Bitter Marist 7’s tournament after defeating favourites Police White 22-19. Jitesh Patel, who has been sponsoring the Tabadamu side, was on cloud nine. The Striders 7s team defeated Marist women’s 7s team 27-5 to scoop the women’s title. The Striders avenged their loss from last year’s final to win against the defending champion. The Josateki Sovau-captained Western Maroons outfit won the 2020 Pherrus Fiji National Rugby League Vanua State of Origin Series after beating the Eastern Blues side 20-8 at Churchill Park. In December, fans were entertained to the Sukuna Bowl cash between Police and Army. It was a battle between Nadroga and Suva as majority players in the Police side were from Nadro, while bulk of the Suva players forced their way into the Army lineup. Even Nadroga coach and assistant coach Esala Nauga and Jonetani Waqa were part of Police’s coaching panel. The blue brigade had the last laugh as they outclassed Army 32-8. Navy won the Escott Shield.
The Suva Rugby Union had their presentation night and the likes of John Stewart, James Brown and Taniela Sadrugu were rewarded for their sterling efforts. The two 7s tournaments, the Wairiki 7s and the Uluinakau 7s tournament attracted attention. The likes of Jerry Tuwai, Taniela Sadrugu and Jiuta Wainiqolo featured for the Barbarians as they beat Tabadamu 19-0 in the semis and Police Blue 22-5 in the final. In the Uluinakau 7s tournament, the Fiji White side beat the Fiji Blue side 2624 in the final. 2020 has its own bit of memories- Suva and Nadi stood out in the Skipper Cup and in the Farebrother-Sullivan Trophy challenge, and the Police side stood out as far as 7s tournaments were concerned. It was a year that not many Nadroga fans will like to remember, but I guess every cloud has a silver lining, and Nadroga will rise. As I conclude, I pay special and sincere thanks and appreciation to Maikeli Seru, Waisale Koroiwasa, Jo Makaba and Eroni Tuinuku of The Fiji Times for their valuable assistance and support! I wish my valued readers a happy 2021!
Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam is a regular contributor to this newspaper and the views expressed in this article are his and not necessarily of The Fiji Times.