The Fiji Times

Nadi faces new kids

Pre-season match to serve as litmus test

- By ANASILINI NATOGA

THE Nadi Rugby Union is gearing up for their inaugural pre-season clash against the formidable Vinod Patel Ba, scheduled for tomorrow at the Vinod Patel Market ground in Ba.

The stage is set for a thrilling encounter that will serve as a litmus test for both teams as they embark on their journey toward the upcoming season.

The anticipati­on is not limited to the Nadi-Ba matchup; the Market Ground will also witness the convergenc­e of rugby powerhouse­s, as Nadi, Ba, and Lautoka rugby teams lock horns.

This meeting is not just a display of athleticis­m but a crucial opportunit­y for the teams to assess their fitness levels and fine-tune their game structures and strategies for the challenges that lie ahead in the new season.

Despite facing setbacks, Nadi remains undeterred. The departure of core players from the previous season, with three securing contracts in New Zealand and others joining the ranks of the Police, Navy, and Army, has necessitat­ed a rebuilding phase.

Nadi team manager Epeli Qoro acknowledg­es the challenges but emphasises the positive spirit within the squad.

“Nadi has new players for this season most of the core players have left and now preparatio­n have been good and all the new players have joined training and been putting in a lot of effort,” Qoro said.

As the team looks forward to the pre-season clash against Ba and Lautoka, Qoro exudes confidence, anticipati­ng a highly competitiv­e match.

“It will be a good match and we are preparing well for that.”

The Nadi Rugby Union is not merely focused on this single match but is laying the foundation for a promising season ahead. Nadi is poised to make waves in the rugby arena, starting with the challengin­g encounter against Vinod Patel Ba tomorrow.

 ?? Picture: JONACANI LALAKOBAU ?? Nadi’s Maikeli Sivo on attack against Naitasiri during the 2023 Skipper Cup second semi-final match at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva. Nadi will face Ba and Lautoka in a pre-season clash tomorrow.
Picture: JONACANI LALAKOBAU Nadi’s Maikeli Sivo on attack against Naitasiri during the 2023 Skipper Cup second semi-final match at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva. Nadi will face Ba and Lautoka in a pre-season clash tomorrow.

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