Stallions
NAITASIRI proved to be Nadroga’s nemesis this year as the highlanders beat Nadroga twice in the Skipper Cup round robin competition and then beat Nadroga in the Skipper Cup semifinals. Naitasiri and Nadro met this season at Lawaqa Park for the first time.
Emosi Vucago and Setefano Somoca led Nadroga’s charge at a packed Lawaqa Park and the Stallions were determined to stop the black wave from the highlands of Naitasiri who were looking for redemption at Lawaqa Park where the highlanders lost 33-31 in a cliffhanger in the semi-finals of the 2019 Skipper Cup meeting.
Nadroga named a solid line-up with the likes of Timoci Sauvoli, Ratunaisa Navuma, Taniela Vatunicoko, Manueli Ratuniyarawa, Rupeni Nasica, Jone Navori, Rusiate Nasove, Ulaiasi Lawavou, 7s star Emosi Vucago, Josese Kurokavu, Avimeleki Nadeba, Sakiusa Gavidi, Jonetani Vasuirakuta, Savenaca Navuniharau, Apisalome Waqatabu, Mosese Gavidi, Jone Koroiduadua, Setefano Somoca, Samisoni Navatu, Josaia Maiyale, Joseva Kuricuva, Jiuta Lutumailagi and Apenisa Cakaubalavu, while the likes of Joeli Veitayaki, Lemeki Tuyawa, Solomoni Navuso, Temo Raibevu, Isikia Macu, Necani Nawaqadau, Sevanaia Vuli, Sireli Kaloucava, Jone Navuso, Tuidraki Samusamuvodre, Raulo Baleca, Livai Ikanikoda, Saula Naicori, Veramu Dikidikilati, Vuate, Karawalevu, Jone Takamalua, Immanuel Naciva, Jo Qaduadua, Chris Minimbi, Anasa Qaranivalu, Viliame Matai, Epeli Ratabacaca and Vatilai Vosawale donned the Naitasiri jumper. In his sports article titled ‘Cup thriller- Drop goal wins Naitasiri tryless match’ (16/08), Eroni Tuinuku reported that Naitasiri fly half Tuidraki Samusamuvodre was the hero for his team after his drop goal in the 78th minute of play won them the match.
Both teams thrilled their fans, who packed the ground, with hard running rugby, but neither could cross the try line at fulltime. At the end, it was patience, hard work and perseverance from the Naitasiri rugby team that enabled them to win. In his interview with Eroni Tuinuku (16/08), Naitasiri head coach Dr Ilaitia Tuisese Jr said that he had been waiting for the moment for more than 10 years, and the fruit of his dedication had finally paid off.
The match was a typical NadrogaNaitasiri clash right to the wire. Naitasiri fans screamed their way out of Lawaqa Park, while Nadroga fans went home with a heavy heart. In the return clash at Ratu Cakobau Park, the Sunday Times feature sports headline read, ‘Highlanders dominate Stallions at home’.
In that article, our sports reporter Noa Biudole wrapped up how Nadroga came up with a new look team and almost shocked the hill men. Esala Nauga opted for the likes of Timoci Sauvoli, Meli Neori, Setefano Somoca, Jasa Veremalua, Josaia Cokoibusa, Jone Navori, Naiqama Salakabuli, Eremasi Radrodro, Joseva Kuricuva, Peni Kadralevu, Beniamino Kalounidau, Sakiusa Gavidi, Lisala Hugavou,Panapasa Qeruqeru, Apisalome Waqatabu, Josese Gavidi, Jioji Kunavula, Jone Koroiduadua, Taniela Vatunicoko, Suluka Tunuka, Sireli Naoba and Jone Naqalia, while Doc chose the likes of Joeli Veitayaki, Seremaia Naureure, Samu Tawake, Isikia Macu, Necani Nawaqadau, Tomasi Naiduki, Sireli Kaloucava, Jone Navuso, Kini Douglas, Tomasi Vula, Epeli
Ratabacaca, Kaliova Mocetadra, Seveci Nakailagi, Etonia Rokotuisawa, Jone Vatukela, Josua Qaduadua, Immanuel Naciva, Joe Tagivetaua, Vatilai Matakaca, Anasa Qaranivalu, Mesulame Lesavua and Vuate Karawalevu. Prior to the clash, in his interview with The Fiji Times experienced sports reporter Waisale Koroiwasa (03/10), Naitasiri coach Dr Ilaitia Tuisese said he had informed his players that playing smart rugby would be the key when they took on Nadroga. He said, “You have to play smart rugby, you have to weigh your options properly in every game and not get caught in the moment. The competition is only getting harder and you have to have the right attitude for every game ahead.”
Naitasiri inflicted pain in the Nadroga camp as the Highlanders maintained their winning run against the Stallions.
Under heavy conditions, the scoreline was 13-6 in favour of the hosts but despite the loss, Nadroga fielded a lot of new boys who showed that in weeks to come, they would be playing better. With heavy underfoot conditions, both Nadroga and Naitasiri opted for the kicking game and the host’s forward pack was dominant.
One thing that worried fans was Nadroga’s inability to cross the opposition’s tryline.
Nadroga failed to score a try against Namosi during the Farebrother-Sullivan Trophy challenge and then against Naitasiri they found it hard to penetrate the defence.
After two losses to Naitasiri, the Stallions prepared quietly and came into the match as underdogs, and despite losing against Naitasiri in the Skipper Cup semi-final in extra time (2017), Nadroga coach Esala Nauga was proud of the effort put in by his troops. In his interview with our dedicated sports journalist
Eroni Tuinuku in the Sunday Times (08/11), Nauga shared his feelings, “The boys played with one man down and even with two down they still managed and we could have won the match with only 13 men, but discipline cost us the match. The buildup to the Skipper Cup semi-final at Ratu Cakobau Park was classic as the Stallions prepared quietly while the Highlanders were confident of playing in their first Skipper Cup final since 2014.
Naitasiri coach Dr Ilaitia Tuisese did wonders with the Highlanders in his first year in charge. He focused on team unity, bonding, togetherness, discipline, set-pieces, structure, attack and defence.
Naitasiri had lost Chris Minimbi, Tuidraki Samusamuvodre and Samu Tawake for national duties, but they had capable players who could step in. Doc, together with the back-line coach Sireli Naqekevuki, named a powerpacked and explosive outfit to don the Naitasiri jumper.
The duo named the likes of Joe Qaduadua, Seremaia Naureure, Solo Navuso, Esikia Macu, Temo Raibevu, Sireli Kaloucava, Anasa Qaranivalu, Apenisa Waqawai, Jone Navuso, Kini Douglas, Tomasi Vula, Epeli Ratabacaca, Kaliova Mocetadra, Seveci Nakailagi and Etonia Rokotuisawa in the starting 15, and players such as Jone Vatukela, Joeli Veitayaki, Maciu Nasila, Ratu Saimoni Ronatarotiu, Lekima Ravuvu, Ratu Joe Tagivetaua, Semi Koroi and Vuate Karawalevu sparked things from the bench.
The Stallions, on the other hand, had a balanced squad in terms of experience and youth and coach Esala Nauga named the likes of Timoci Sauvoli, Ratunaisa Navuma, Taniela Vatunicoko, Josaia Cokaibusa, Naelesoni Nasokitabua, Jasa Veremalua, Eremasi Radrodro, Jone Navori, Sakiusa Gavidi, Peni Kedralevu, Napolioni Nalaga, Ifereimi Tovilevu,
Mesake Tuinamena, Panapasa Qeruqeru, Lisala Hugavou, Jonetani Kunavula, Mosese Gavidi, Ratu Wame Waqanaceva, Samisoni Navatu, Naiqama Salakibulu and former 7s stars Emosi Vucago and Jiuta Lutumailagi. Prior to the semis, the Stallions were dealt a blow with the departure of Manueli Ratuniyarawa and Jone Koroiduadua for the Autumn Test.
The Stallions played like warriors despite playing with 14 players for 57 minutes after Ratunaisa Navuma was red-carded. The Stallions also lost Mesake Tuinamena to the sin-bin, but they showed true character and spirit to come back into the game and scored a try to super-sub Luke Salaba. Jiuta’s conversion leveled scores, but Nadroga lost their lineout and Radrodro’s error resulted in Naitasiri getting a scrum, which was used to their advantage.
The hosts were then awarded a penalty which was calmly slotted by Rokotuisawa. Game over! Naitasiri last won the Skipper Cup in 2010 and the last time they played in the final was in 2014.
In 2007, Nadroga lost to Naitasiri by two points (20-18) and 13 years later they lost by three points (20-17). Last year, Nadroga beat Naitasiri 33-31 in the semis and in the last four years Naitasiri lost in the Skipper Cup semis, ironically losing to Nadroga on three occasions.
Hence, Naitasiri was able to end their losing run against Nadro, who left it too late, and they paid a heavy price as they finished the season trophy-less. Nadro last won the Skipper Cup in 2017 against Namosi 40-26, after they beat Suva in the semis.