Coaches play a key role in Saturday’s double-header

Last Saturday, at the sound of the final whistle Namosi rugby head coach, Asaeli Boko, quickly made his way to the dressing room leaving captain, Sakiusa Nadruku to face the media.

Boko was least worried about the celebration of the 15-8 win over Nadroga but was keeping his distance from the media. Something he has been doing from day one.

For those who don’t know him, the former Nadroga loosie has represented the country in sevens and fifteens.

Boko was one of the local-based players that played for the Flying Fijians in all their three Test matches during the Europe Tour in 2009.

His strong performance impressed former All Blacks No.8 Mike Brewer, who was then coaching Sale Sharks and they signed him for two years. Brewer worked with Boko and moulded him to become a specialist No.8.

The Level 2 coach returned to Fiji at the end of 2012 before joining the Fiji Corrections Service.

Part of his coaching think tank, is assistant coach Viliame (Bill)

Veikoso.

Veikoso played for Nadi, Suva and the Flying Fijians at the 2011 Rugby World Cup. He also played for New Zealand second division province North Otago when they won the 2005 and 2006 Heartland Championship.

The pair have weaved their magic wand and have done wonders for Namosi.

After copping three red cards in their Skipper Cup opener on July 25, they’ve turned things around within six days with a mesmerising performance that left the Stallions reeling.

Smart tactician

This Saturday, is going be another uphill battle against Naitasiri who are being coached by Ilaitia Tuisese Jnr- another former Flying Fijian and a medical doctor by profession.

This year, he is being assisted by former Stormers centre, Sireli Naqelevuki as the backline coach. Tuisese has always being media friendly and is there to answer for his players if the game results don’t go their way.

Like Boko, Tuisese also played for

Nadroga and is a smart rugby tactician.

He knows what is required when it comes to the Farebrother-Sullivan Trophy challenge.

Both coaches are now working with their co-coaches to map out their winning strategies.

Their battle has already begun and whoever plans well will surely be the last one to laugh, when the dust settles on Saturday afternoon.