Tough Days Ahead: Doviverata
Rewa head coach Ro Alifereti Doviverata was not carried away with the 1715 win over Ovalau in the Vodafone Vanua Championship quarterfinal at Ratu Cakobau Park, Nausori, last night. Speaking to SUNsports Dovivereta said things are going to get tougher from here. “It was good game, right down to the wire,” the former Flying Fijians captain said.
“The Ovalau team topped the Northern group and were undefeated. They came out here to win as well.”
Doviverata said it was disappointing that his players did not build on their 17-point lead.
“I told the boys to control the ball, but it did not go our away. It will get harder from here just as we saw, with this game.”
What happened: Rewa backed by their vocal supporters started strongly as Ovalau took time to adapt to the wet ground conditions.
However, it was Ovalau flanker Jone Cama that scored the first try in the 10th minute and it was converted by fullback Nacanieli Turaga for a 7-0 lead.
Rewa replied immediately with a penalty try as their big forwards took control.
In the 23rd minute Rewa’s William Tabuniqoli extended their lead to 12-7 with an unconverted try.
Just on halftime, it was Apolosi Tamata who ran in Rewa’s second try and again was not converted.
Halftime: Rewa 17-7 Ovalau
The visitors started strong in the second half as they tried to level the scores.
In the 53rd penalty Ovalau’s Nacanieli Turaga converted a penalty to bring the scores to 17-10.
And continuous pressure by Ovalau saw the Rewa defenders buckled as Ilaisa Camaitovu ran in their second try with the conversion missing as they trailed 17-15.
Rewa and Northland have now qualified for the semi-finals while their opponents will be decided today.