SKIPPER CUP: ‘NAMOSI A THREAT’
Working in all key areas of their game is something the Nadroga rugby team are going to focus on before they face Namosi on Saturday, says a senior official.
Nadroga Rugby Union president Tiko Matawalu said this was important after their lucky escape against Suva, last Saturday.
“We will also work on how to keep and utilise possession,” he said. “These are important areas for us to fix because it nearly caused us the game.”
Matawalu said once they improved on these areas it would lift the team’s performance.
“We have to work hard on our set pieces especially on our line-outs, “Suva identified the problem and that’s the reason they were contesting the line-outs.
“This week at training we will be working twice as hard in trying to improve our line-outs and the execution of our passes during the game.” Matawalu said they would need to lift their fitness level to match Namosi because most of their players are in the disciplinary forces.
“They are constantly training so we need to bring our fitness up to match them.
“We rushed it a bit and that resulted on a couple of drop balls, in that case we will try and play running rugby that we are known for.
“The game had moments of brilliance in both the forwards and the backs but our defence stood tall so this week we will try and create variations on our attack”
Matawalu praised the forwards for improving in the scrums and that got them the 15-13 win.
The Stallions were trailing 8-13 right on full-time but a powerful scrum closed to the Suva tryline saw the visitors buckled as they got a penalty try.
“This week we will be working hard again on our scrums and the forwards will be heavily involved. “Scrum has become one of the most important set pieces in rugby today.” “Suva had the luxury of a good forward pack but we were able to push them around due to the techniques we know.”
Matawalu said they are aware that Namosi would be out to create an upset.
“Namosi will be analysing our game by now and we respect their intentions but come game day it’s a different story.
“It’s another week of battle and the boys are ready to deliver for the fans.”
“They know how we play so that is very interesting and their result from last weekend reflects on the type of team they are.”
“Namosi is a strong side full of very talented players and it’s good to see a couple of youngsters in the team as well.
“Having a bulk of young kids in both teams week in week out shows the development of rugby is growing.”
What’s on this Saturday?
Lawaqa Park, Sigatoka- Nadroga v Namosi; ANZ Stadium, Suva, Suva v Yasawa; Ratu Cakobau Park, Nausori, Naitasiri v Nadi; Churchill Park, Lautoka, Lautoka v Tailevu.