Namosi upsets Nadro
AS provincial rugby takes a break due to the second wave of coronavirus, I look back at my diary and recap some intense battles that fans witnessed last year after rugby convened due to the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Now that local rugby is put on hold, fans have been enjoying the Trans-Tasman Super Rugby clashes, as Blues and Highlanders fans look forward to a mouthwatering final.
Football fans are enjoying Euro 2021, as top guns Portugal, France, Belgium, Italy, Netherlands and England recorded wins, while Czech Republic, Slovakia and Finland created upsets.
Fans, here at home, have their own European teams, and it’s pleasing to see the rivalry between them on social media.
My friends Aben Dean, Shakhil and Raynav are supporting England, while Master Timoci Seru, Reggie and Indra Singh (FBC) are all for France.
It’s getting heated up.
In my article on Nadroga rugby this week, I take readers down memory lane when the Stallions lost the Farebrother-Sullivan Trophy in their own back yard.
There is no doubt that the Farebrother-Sullivan Trophy is special to Nadroga rugby and their ardent fans.
Nadroga had it guarded, until Namosi upset them at home to wrest the prestigious trophy from Lawaqa Park.
The Stallions beat Suva 15-13 last year in round one, but lady luck evaded them, as Namosi had the last laugh when the dust settled at Lawaqa Park.
Nadroga fans were stunned as Namosi put up a lion’s effort to dethrone the hosts and the holders of the Farebrother Trophy.
It was a battle between two former Nadro players- Esala Nauga and Asaeli Boko and the latter had the last laugh as his warriors wrested the silverware from Lawaqa Park- a feat that not many had expected Namosi to achieve especially after the win against Tailevu marred by ill-discipline where Namosi lost three players to the sin-bin.
Namosi head coach Asaeli Boko made a bold call to keep his starting forward pack from the previous week to face Nadroga.
Beaming with confidence, the Namosi pack was ready to match the Nadroga scrum in the double-header at Lawaqa Park. Both coaches had fielded a fullstrength team and fans were in for a rugby party.
However, the Stallions boasted a much more experienced team compared with the younger Namosi brigade.
Nauga had named the likes of Timoci Sauvoli, Ratunaisa Navuma, Jone Koroiduadua, Sailosi Dawai, Rupeni Nasiga, Jone Navori, Rusiate Nasove, Eremasi Radrodro, Sakiusa Gavidi, Peceli Nacebe, Napolioni Nalaga, Sakiusa Nakalevu, Sevuloni Mocenacagi, Joeli Lutumailagi and Lisala Hugavou to face the visitors in Aseri Robanakadavu, Jone Naqiri, Alivereti Rabukawaqa, Semi Baivi, Eparama Luvata, Apakuki Vuaviri, Akapusi Roqica, Sakiusa Nadruku, Peni Matawalu, Josefa Vunisa, Vinaiya Habosi, Kalaveti Ravouvou, Onisi Ratave, Lepani Raiyala and Esala Nalobo.
When the match concluded, a major upset was on the card, as Namosi beat Nadroga at home to win the Farebrother-Sullivan Trophy.
The Sakiusa Nadruku captained Namosi outfit gave their all to beat Nadroga and hoist the Farebrother-Sullivan Trophy.
Namosi defended ferociously until the final whistle and dented any hopes of the fight back- similar to what fans had witnessed during the first challenge against the boys in blue.
Namosi captain Nadruku in his post-match interview said that he had asked his boys to play 80 minutes of rugby in order to beat Nadroga.
He said that his players had to win everything, including taking the ball to the advantage line and contesting the Stallions in the lineouts.
Nadruku added that his boys had to fight and be strong and that was what they did at Lawaqa Park against the highly rated Nadroga pack.
Namosi took the Stallions head on and started dictating play as Nadroga was reduced to 14-man close to 15 minutes in the first half when winger Lutumailagi was sin-binned for a dangerous tackle. Namosi first five-eighth Vunisa landed the penalty as they took a 3-0 lead.
Six minutes later Namosi found their rhythm and prop Robarobalevu powered through the Stallions defence to score a try which was converted. Until the 30th minute when Nadroga was awarded a penalty, it was almost Namosi taking control of the double header.
Nacebe converted the penalty to narrow the deficit to seven points. As predicted by rugby pundits, Namosi came out firing in the second half.
However, their try scorer and Nadroga’s Koroiduadua were sent to the sin bin for unprofessional play and just when Nadro fans thought that the Stallions were coming back into the game, Nadroga native and the younger brother of Nadroga and Fijian Drua team winger Aporosa Tabulawaki, Namosi blind wing Habosi executed a try near the corner from set-piece play.
Namosi extended their lead to 15-3 and their fans could sense a sensational upset coming.
Nadroga fans were at the edge of their seats and they continued to urge their boys and veteran Nasiga scored their lone try.
However, Nacebe’s conversion summed up Nadroga’s miserable day, as he missed the crucial conversion and then Namosi defended with all their might.
Nadro captain Nasiga was gracious in defeat.
He apologised to the fans and commended Namosi for playing their hearts out. He added that the Stallions lacked concentration and were too casual in the first half.
He said that the hosts made a lot of mistakes. Nadroga’s loss was untimely and Namosi had caused a huge rugby upset, as they prepared to defend the Farebrother Cup against the Highlanders.
Just like Nadroga fans, I was wondering what stung us. I was speechless and rued the mistakes that the Stallions made in the match that proved costly.
As I look back at that epic battle, I’m saddened that the Stallions lost the Farebrother-Sullivan Trophy and since then have had an empty cabinet.