Vital day for Ba women
THE Island Pharmacy Ba Women face Malolo today at Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka in a must-win match if they are to maintain their push for a quarter-finals place in the Ranadi Cup.
“Actually, both teams will be thinking the same thing,” head coach Saiasi Koroi said. “Both Ba and Malolo absolutely need to win this game if they are to progress.”
Ba sit two points behind Malolo but have a game in hand. Unbeaten Kadavu lead the pool with Serua below Ba only on points difference.
“We didn’t play our best rugby in the opening day defeat to Kadavu, and the girls were devastated to lose to Malolo in Round 2 through a last-minute try,” Koroi recalled.
“It was only in our third game that the players really started to gel well and find their rhythm in the bonus-point win against Serua.”
Koroi has been in Ba for the past 19 years as his wife hails from Nailaga village, though last year he was coaching the Suva Women’s side.
“It is an exciting time for women’s rugby in Ba. We have so many new players who came through the Rooster Chicken Shield in November. Many are still schooling, just 17 or 18 years old.
“I feel blessed to be working with this young group of players. They have a very good spirit and we are now seeing a big improvement in the attitude.
“Plenty of new girls are coming in. Every week, we give two or three girls their rugby debuts. It’s the first time for them on a rugby field. We, the coaches and management, are all very proud of them.
“Of course, our big target is to get promoted to the ANZ Marama Championships, but that’s for later. Now, we’re just going game by game. We need some time to develop.”
Koroi gave special mention to skipper Asenaca Naoi, who stands tall as a lock and a leader.
“I only joined the team last year when we reached the quarter-finals,” Naoi said.
“We lost to Naitasiri but it was a very good experience for us since Naitasiri had previously played in the Marama Championship.
“We still have the core of players from 2023 but we have plenty of new girls who have switched from soccer, even some who have represented Fiji.
“This year, we have more depth, but we need more time to train and play in order to get better. Our backline is strong, they’ve got speed and strength. And we’re happy with the pack – we just need to win our set pieces.
“This is the most important game so far, and we are in no way underestimating Malolo.”
Hooker Ilisapeli Viti admitted that the girls were nervous in the opening match against Kadavu.
“But there’s been a big improvement since that first game. We are more confident now and just happy to be playing,” she said.
Viti only joined the squad this year after being part of the successful Veiyasana Cagilaba team in the Ba Tikina Championships.
“I used to play prop for Dudley High School in Suva. I’ve been in Ba for two years and the team needed a hooker, so I’ve moved into the middle of the front row.
“The players and officials are working hard to establish women’s rugby in Ba, and we just need the full support of the spectators – so please do come at watch us.”
The Malolo-Ba game kicks off at 1pm today at Lawaqa Park.
I feel blessed to be working with this young group of players. They have a very good spirit and we are now seeing a big improvement in the attitude.