Eleven years in the making. That’s how long it took the Nadera Panthers to reclaim the Fiji National Rugby League premiership title.
Yesterday, the team from one of the toughest suburbs of Nasinu beat the Saru Dragons 16-10 in the Vodafone Cup premier final at Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka.
The final lived up to expectations, both teams were tied 10-all with three minutes left on the clock when Panther dummy half Uraia Koroi sealed the win.
Koroi bounced on a kick through from one of his teammates to notch the win.
For coach and for er Panthers captain Vula Dakuitoga, the win was worth the wait because he was the last Panther – at the age of 46 — to lift the trophy in 2011, that drought ended yesterday.
“We just worked very hard. Eleven years has been a very long time and I’ve been telling the boys if we can do it, why can’t you guys,” Dakuitoga said.
“I’ve been challenging them that this is their year and this is their time. We ticked all the boxes, we were unbeaten from the pool stages right up to the grand final.
“It’s not me, it’s not us, it’s God Almighty who gave us the strength and talent.”
With the crop of players who now know what it feels like to win the premiership, Dakuitoga has now set a plan to win the club’s second six-year winning streak.
“We did it in 2003 to 2008. That is now the challenge to the players. On the 30th anniversary of rugby league in Fiji, we have now won the title 15 times.”
The Dragons from Lautoka were first on the board with a penalty to flyhalf Joseva Vetaukula for a 2-0 lead.
The Panthers got on the scoreboard after Nikola Sovatabua powered his way over the line from close range in the 23rd minute. Flyhalf Neville Fiu converted for a 6-2 lead.
The Dragons replied in tit-fot-tat fashion through Vilikesa Tuidama before Vetaukula converted the extras and added two further penalties to regain the lead at 10-6 heading into the breather.
The Panthers scored all the points in the second half – a try to winger Tevita Vonolagi and Koroi’s heroics, coupled with conversions from Fiu sealed the win.
In the women’s grand final, Police Sharks beat Lami Steelers 32-16 while the Ravoravo Rabbitohs sealed the youth final 15-14 after a golden point drop goal to flyhalf Timoci Kotoisuva.
It was also 11 years ago when Panthers, that former captain and now coach Vula Dakuitoga last lifted the Vodafone Cup trophy.
