Natoga’s ‘Element of Surprise’

Watch Aminiasi Natoga step up to his role when Namosi take on FarebrotherSullivan Trophy challengers Nadi at the ANZ Stadium, Suva, tomorrow.

The former Fijian Warriors and Latui halfback takes over from Peni Matawalu who has been selected to the Flying Fijians squad for next month’s Autumn Nations Championship in Europe.

Matawalu has been the key playmaker for the Namosi side this season. His ability to read the game and control their moves has been

the success of their campaign. On top of that, Matawalu also dictates the tempo of the game and time and again have caught the oppositions napping.

He has also formed a formidable partnership with first five-eighth Alivereti Veitokani when they plotted Nadroga and Yasawa’s downfall.

Without Matawalu tomorrow, many have yet to see how Namosi will perform.

This is where Natoga who’s renowned for his aggressive play steps in.

Playing for Namosi at this level is nothing new to him. Natoga had been Namosi’s first choice halfback since 2018 before Matawalu joined them this season.

And during that time, he has been playing together with Veitokani so it’s nothing new to him.

Natoga will bring a totally different game compared to Matawalu and this is what Nadi should be aware of.

In their last two Skipper Cup matches, the Namosi coaching staff have been giving Natoga the starting role as they knew that Matawalu would not be available towards the end of the competition. The onus is now on Natoga to show what his capable of. He is that ‘element of surprise’ that Namosi is going to bank on in this most important clash.

Photo: Ronald Kumar Namosi halfback Peni Matawalu (middle) directs No.8 Kelepi Naimasi during their Farebrother -Sullivan Trophy challenge against Yasawa at the ANZ Stadium, Suva. Matawalu will miss tomorrow’s clash against Nadi.

Namosi halfback Aminiasi Natoga (right) with fans at Navua. He is going to play a big role in tomorrow’s Farebrother-Sullivan Trophy defence against Nadi in Suva.