Nadi reigns
JETSETTERS DEFEND TITLE AT HOME
NADI has retained the holy grail of Fiji rugby, the Fare brother Sullivan Trophy, for the 2020 season after defeating Tailevu 28-10 in front of a sell-out crowd at Prince Charles Park in Nadi yesterday.
Fans converged on Prince Charles Park to witness the final Farebrother-Sullivan Trophy fixture and were treated to a battle of two halves.
Tailevu upped the tempo in the first spell only to allow Nadi to score in the corner on the stroke of half time to hand the home side the advantage.
This laid the platform for Nadi’s push in the second spell.
Vatemo Ravouvou had opened the encounter with a successful penalty to put Nadi in front.
Tailevu hit back in the 17th minute through Raduva Saumaki’s try.
Nadi winger Vilikesa Driu’s try out wide was the turning point in the fixture.
Nadi led 8-5 at the break.
In the second spell Jolame Lumevou scored a brace of tries for Nadi while Ron Katonivere and Napolioni Dawai got one each.
Marika Rasuaki scored a consolation try for the visitors in injury time.
Nadi team manager Samuela Navale said their goal was to retain the trophy once they won it from Namosi.
“Last year we won the trophy but then lost it to Nadroga the following week,” Navale said.
“The mistake at that time was the distractions of winning the trophy for the first time after 2008.
“In this match we kept our discipline. Throughout the season we received many yellow cards which cost us games. In this match we got only one.
“After this victory we have missed out on the Skipper Cup semi-final spot by just one point.”
Tailevu head coach Samisoni Baikeitoga said their downfall was the wrong choices they made, especially on defence.
“It was a strong effort put up by Nadi,” he said.
“In the first half we had the tempo. But in the second half the boys made some wrong decisions when we were defending our try line.
“We could not defend our line and Nadi captalised on that. But hats off to my boys because after a long time we came to Prince Charles Park to try and wrestle the trophy from Nadi. But we have to leave it to next year now.” Teams: Tailevu: Noa Bula, Isireli Narawa, Poate Rainima, Raduva Saumaki, Laisenia Manuqila, Vetaia Tikomailepanoni, Timoci Vunimoku, Mosese Naiova, Peniasi Ravudolo, Seru Vaniqi, Kaminieli Rasaku, Paula Nayacakalou, Etueni Seru, Viliame Kanatabua, Isimeli Koniferedi. Nadi: Ron Katonivere, Ratu Vere Vugakoto, Joseva Nadolo, Vilikesa Boletawa, Peni Tavua, Jolame Luvevou, Vilive Miramira, Ratu Napolioni Dawai, Marika Tivitivi, Vatemo Ravouvou, Vilikesa Driu, Vilive Aria.
A penalty try in the dying minutes was enough for Naitasiri to secure a last ditch 28-21 win against Yasawa in their final round robin of the Skipper Cup clash at Ratu Cakobau Park yesterday.
Naitasiri mentor Ilaitia Tuisese Jr was not a happy man after the win, saying the result was a shadow of the team’s performance throughout the season.
“We knew Yasawa was going to come out fighting in their last game, for us it has given a check and we had to work hard for the win and the four tries we were going for,” Tuisese said.
Tuisese said the islanders had given them questions before heading into the knockout stages.
“They pressured us, and knew where to attack us, it’s definitely something we need to work on going forward into the crunch stage.”
Yasawa showed their intent early with two successful penalties from kickable spots in the third and eighth minute nailed by fly half Joseva Vetaukula after the back line were caught offside on both occasions.
Yasawa conceded a penalty try 28 minutes in after their powerful pack forced the islanders to commit technicalities multiple times despite the referee’s warning.
Yasawa regained the lead after multiple phases saw loose head prop Samisoni Boireguregu go over in the corner with the conversion missed just before the break.
Naitasiri skipper Sireli Kaloucava led from the front in the second spell with a try as their scrum pack pushed the visitors over their own tryline showing their devastation as they have all season.
Fly half Vuate Wadigi added the two points.
Yasawa kept themselves in the fray with Vetaukula equalising nailing his third penalty of the day.
A game with all the fixings, Yasawa fullback Rara Naitau scored a try to retake the lead with Vetaukula converting only to have the scores levelled again after Naitaisiri halfback Viliame Matai also crossed over on the other end with substitute fly half Kini Douglas converting.
But the men from the Highlands secured the win in the dying minutes with another collapsed scrum awarding them a penalty try and the win. Naitasiri will take on BLK Nadroga in the semi-final of the Skipper Cup.
Teams:
Naitasiri:
1.Josua Qaduadua 2.Jone Vatukela Immanuel Naciva 4.Esikia Macu 5.Sailasa Romatanioro 6.Necani Nawaqadau 7.Peceli Rokotuivatu 8.Sireli Kaloucava 9.Viliame Matai 10.Vuate Wadali 11.Kaliova Mocetadra 12.Maleli Lesavua 13.Jona Vakatawa 14.Vatiliai Vosawale 15.Samisoni Tuinasau. Reserves:
16.Lemeki Tuyawa 17.Waisea Nailago 18.Joeli Veitayaki 19.Vilikesa Ravutu 20.Anasa Qaranivalu 21.Kini Douglas 22.Epeli Ratabacaca 23.Seveci Nakailagi
Yasawa:
1.Samisoni Baireguregu 2.Esava Balenatabua 3.Sailosi Sekitoga 4.Manasa Vatanitawake 5.Apisai Amo 6.Vakacegu Tubakibau 7.Mosese Dibi 8.Rusiate Waqa 9.Vilimoni Morawa 10.Josfa Vetaukula 11.Eliki Naikusa 12.Simione Nabutulovo 13.Setareki Navorua 14.Samuela Ratumaiyale 15.Rara Naitau. Reserves: 16.Alipate Tiko 17.Osea Sadrau 18.Tomasi Nawaqa 19.Savenaca Biu 20.Jone Baleidama 21.Tevita Volavola 22.Vilikesa Lete 23.Ameniasi Yaroi