IT was patience, hard work and perseverance from the Naitasiri rugby team that enabled them to beat BLK Nadroga 9-6 at Lawaqa Park yesterday.
Naitasiri head coach Dr Ilaitia Tuisese Jr said he’s been waiting for this moment for more than 10 years and the fruit of his dedication has finally paid off.
I commend the boys for the win and they played until the final whistle,” he said.
“It’s a typical Nadroga-Naitasiri clash right to the wire. I told the boys in the halftime break to keep
on working hard and they did so hats off to the boys.”
Naitasiri rugby team led Nadroga at Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka in the halftime break.
Five minutes into the first spell of the match, Naitasiri fly half Tuidraki Samusamuvodre converted
a penalty to take them to the lead 3-0.
Both teams shared equal possessions however failed to execute their finishing play.
Nadroga replacement fly half Jiuta Lutumailagi kicked three points for Nadroga to level the scores 3-3 into the 15th minute of the second half.
However five minutes later Nadroga fullback Apisalome Waqatabu and Naitasiri open side flanker
Sevanaia Vuli were red carded for foul play.
With fifteen minutes remaining Samusamuvodre kicked another penalty to take Naitasiri into the
lead but Lutumailagi levelled the scores 6-6 three minutes later.
It was Samusamuvodre’s drop kick inside the Nadroga 10 metre line territory that won them the
match 9-6.
Nadroga veteran Setefano Somoca applauded Naitasiri for the win and they’ll return with better
performance next weekend.
“We’re trying to get our young players and senior reps into the same rythm and we will go back regroup
and come back stronger next week,” said Somoca.
“Our main goal is to get our combinations right and the younger players to believe in themselves.
Naitasiri:1: Joeli Veitayaki, 2: Lemeki Tuyawa,3: Solomoni Navuso, 4: Temo Raibevu, 5:Isikia Macu, 6: Necani Nawaqadau, 7:Sevanaia Vuli, 8: Sireli Kaloucava, 9:Jone Navuso, 10: Tuidraki Samusamuvodre,
11: Raulo Baleca, 12: Livai Ikanikoda,13: Saula Naicori, 14: Veramu Dikidikilati,15: Vuate Karawalevu,16: Jone Takamalua,17: Jo Qaduadua, 18: Immanuel Naciva, 19: Chris Minimbi, 20: Anasa
Qaranivalu, 21: Viliame Matai, 22: Epeli Ratabacaca, 23: Vatilai Vosawale.
Nadroga; 1: Timoci Sauvoli, 2: Ratunaisa Navuma, 3: Taniela Vatunicoko, 4: Manueli Ratuniyarawa, 5: Rupeni Nasiga, 7:Rusiate Nasove, 8: Ulaiasi Lewavou, 9: Emosi Vucago, 10: Josese Kurokavu, 11:
Avimeleki Nadeba, 12: Sakiusa Gavidi, 13: Jonetani Vasuirakuta, 14: Savenaca Navuniharau, 15: Apisalome Waqatabu, 16: Mosese Gavidi, 17: Jone Koroduadua, 18: Setefano Somoca, 19: Samisoni Navatu, 20: Josaia Maiyale, 21: Joseva Kuricuva, 22: Jiuta Lutumailagi, 23: Apenisa Cakaubalavu.
