Suva going all out for win

DEFENDING Skipper Cup champion Suva will go out strong to keep the title in the Capital City.

With three rounds of round-robin competition to play, the Capital City boys face a mammoth task of hosting Naitasiri this weekend in round 12.

Team manager Nemani Tuifagalele said the team was caught by surprise with the level of competition brought in by teams this year but slowly managed to pull themselves together.

“The level of competition has surely gotten stronger and it really took us by surprise. Being the defending champions we then regrouped and slowly moved ourselves up the ladder,” Tuifagalele said.

Suva started the competition with three consecutive losses to Nadi, Tailevu and Naitasiri, but came back to win six of its next eight games.

The side sits fourth on the ladder with Nadi on top followed by Naitasiri while Nadroga is in third spot.

“We’re gonna go strong. There had been a lot of complacency; we are now brushing that side.

“Level of the tone in training has also been increased and we have seen a lot of changes.

“A notch up this week – expect some real improvements against Naitasiri.”

He adds the side has a lot of respect for Naitasiri but is aware of their weakness.

“Now they have to learn to play on good grounds. Naitasiri will need to adjust to that.

“It’s taking its toll on that. They have beaten us twice in a row. We know they will come strong.

“We are not taking them lightly, we will give them a good game.”

Suva hosts Naitasiri at 3pm at the ANZ Stadium this Saturday.

In other matches beginning at the same time, Nadi battles Nadroga at Prince Charles Park, Namosi hosts Northland at Thomson Park while Tailevu battles Rewa at Ratu Cakobau Park.

Nadi will also defend the INKK Farebrother Trophy in their clash against Nadroga.