Delasau maps plans
BA Rugby Union head coach Filimoni Delasau is adamant for exciting and positive performances against Nadroga, Lautoka and Yasawa in this week’s pre-season matches.
Last week Ba topped their preseason matches beating Lautoka in their first match 10-7, then edged Nadi in their second match 19-17 and finished the day with a 15-5 win over Yasawa.
“We are happy to have preseason matches against Nadi, Lautoka and Yasawa, we were grateful that they invited us last Saturday.
“Bringing a squad of 60 players, the coaching staff is in the process of selecting the final 35 who will be the core team for the upcoming Skipper Cup competition,” Delasau said.
Delasau shared the team’s aspiration to transform Ba into a rugby-centric town, diverting from its well-known soccer enthusiasm. He referenced the late Vinod Patel’s vision of making Ba the “crazy rugby town,” a sentiment the team is dedicated to fulfilling.
The objective extends beyond sports, aiming to unite the multicultural community and instill discipline and long-term goals in the youth through rugby.
“We all know that Ba is a crazy soccer town but we want to change it to rugby crazy town just like what the late Vinod Patel mentioned before he died ‘we will make Ba the crazy rugby town’ and that goes with our dream to bring multicultural community together and I believe rugby is one way to discipline the young people and set long term goals,” Delasau added.
Delasau noted the increasing representation of players from the mountains. He emphasized that despite not having access to a gym before their recent matches, the team exhibited remarkable strength, securing victories against Nadi, Lautoka, and Yasawa.
“Before we have club competitions, but we did not involve our tikina’s from the mountains but now you see majority of the players are from the mountains, they are big boys.
“We haven’t been to the gym when we played Nadi, Lautoka, Yasawa last weekend and we beat them all hopefully now we get some money from our sponsors and buy our gym set,” Delasau further explained.
Acknowledging the raw strength displayed by the mountain players, he expressed optimism about the team’s potential.
Delasau emphasized the importance of introducing gym sessions, believing that with proper training, Ba Rugby Union could achieve their dreams, including winning the Skipper or Farebrother trophies.
Coach Delasau declared; “Nothing is impossible if they put their heart and mind to it.
“The team is determined to pursue their goals with dedication and discipline in the upcoming season.”
The Skipper Cup competition begins on February 24.