Nadroga has been Fiji’s rugby powerhouse.
The structures and systems that are in place have ensured that the traditional giants have dominated Fiji rugby for years.
Nadroga has been one of those teams which has won the Skipper Cup and the Farebroher-Sullivan Trophy. Through their partnership with Frank Boivert and the France Rugby Union, many Nadroga players have played for French and Europe clubs and have made Nadroga and Fiji proud.
However, this proud record seems to be coming to an end and trust me, it’s going to be painful for the former players, offi cials and ardent fans to see the fall of Nadroga rugby.
For me, it’s simple — no rugby without Nadroga lifting trophies. Nadroga’s fall in the Skipper Cup has been Suva’s dominance in provincial rugby. The Stallions have lost the Skipper Cup fi nal to Suva twice- in 2018 and in 2019 and this year Suva has a huge command on the Skipper Cup points table.
The Suva rugby team made a strong comeback in the second half and stopped Nadroga’s tenth-year reign in the Skipper Cup competition in 2018 as Suva created the upset of the day edging Nadroga 36-35 to win the Skipper Cup final.
The Esala Nauga-coached Nadroga side led during the half-time break 28- 10, but Suva regrouped in the second half to secure the win.
Nadroga was hoping to win the trophy for the tenth year consecutively but it was not their day. Last year, Suva made it back to back as they retained their title defeating Nadroga 34-26 in a tough encounter at home.
Spectators were on their feet minutes away from full-time as Nadroga struggled to try and make a come-back to fi nish the Skipper Cup on a high but the Stallions could not penetrate the tough Suva defence.
Nadroga and Suva played an entertaining game and a lot of passion was shown by both teams.
Suva dug deep and the blue brigade showed that they wanted to defend the Skipper Cup so they maintained their composure and worked hard until the final whistle.
The Blues were not deterred by the pressure from the Stallions despite playing without 11 of their senior players who were out in camp for the Fijian Latui.
The Capital City side took advantage of the early plays of the game and led 20-19 at half-time as months of hard work and determination were the key to beating Nadroga in the final two years in a row.
This year in the opening round, Nadroga was lucky to escape Suva’s onslaught as the Stallions were awarded a penalty try in extra time and they defended the Farebrother-Sulivan Trophy 15-13 but in round two the James Brown-inspired Suva warriors ensured they outclassed Nadroga at home.
Suva fought hard and survived a late scare to register a 32-26 bonus-point win over Nadroga as Misaele Petero scored a hat trick while James Brown twice crossed the Nadroga try-line.
Suva kept Nadroga scoreless in the fi rst-half and led 22-0 at half-time. However, Nadroga started the second half well and looked a changed side. They applied relentless pressure on Suva and took a handy lead 26-22 only to surrender it to the hosts in the last 15 minutes.
That comeback by Nadroga had hopes of their fans high as the Stallions travelled to Ratu Cakobau Park to challenge Namosi whom the Stallions failed to tame. After losing to Suva, Nadroga slipped to second on the Skipper Cup points table.
Against Namosi, Nadroga trailed the holders 8-6 and had a penalty advantage but they failed to take the three easy points and returned home without the cup that traditionally belongs to them.
After the loss to Namosi, the Stallions settled for fourth best on the Skipper Cup- something which was unheard of in the Nadroga camp.
The Namosi vs Nadroga double-header was marred by uncharacteristic errors, handling errors, poor decision making, individual play and kicking away possession but last week, the Stallions salvaged some pride as they beat Tailevu 23-18 at Lawaqa Park.
However, this match was far from the 33-13 thrashing that Nadroga handed to the green machine at Ratu Cakobau Park in round one.
This week against the second-placed Highlanders, which thumped Namosi, Nadroga must play enterprising and exciting rugby something that’s been missing from the Stallions camp.
Nadroga trails Suva by nine points and unless a miracle happens, Suva is unlikely to lose its top placing on the points table.
From the outset, the five-year rugby plan that Nadroga developed has ended but those in the development plan are still playing now – Setefano Somoca, captain Rupeni Nasiga and Apisalome Waqatabu, to name a few. These players played against Suva’s player-turned coach Saiyasi Fuli, who is now coaching the Fijiana side and who helped Suva down Nadroga in the Skipper Cup campaign in 2018 and 2019.
The young players, whom Nadroga had introduced against Suva in the first defence of the Farebrother trophy this year, have been neglected as the season moved on.
There are a lot of promising players in the province but it seems that the coaching staff is hesitant in their approach.
Their campaign for the Farebrother- Sullivan Trophy, the Trophy they call their own, might be over but there is light at the end of the tunnel as they still can grasp the Skipper Cup title.
Nadroga has the best local Super Rugby competition and is the top academy out of most provincial rugby unions, but the result is not coming their way.
One has to ask why the development players are moving away from Nadroga to represent other unions? — may be they are not given the chance to play as senior players seem to be the first choice for the coaching panel at crucial moments.
Finally, I’m eager to see the return of Josese Kurokavu and Vanua Levu-lad Beniamino Kalounidau, whom I had penned a letter to the editor on, and more action from Ifereimi Tovilevu, Lisala Hugavou, Jonetani Vasurakuta, Jonetani Kunavula, Taniela Vatunicoko, Sakiusa Nakalevu, Savenaca Navuniharau, Naiqama Salakibulu and Peceli Nacebe.
In yesterday’s The Fiji Times, Jo Makaba penned a beautiful article on Fiji Bati hooker Apisai Koroisau’s desire to win the 2020 NRL premiership title.
Just like Api, it is my desire to see the champion Nadroga side bounce back from past defeat back to winning ways. The article in yesterday’s The Fiji Times, ‘Secret to Kini’s success’, is an excellent inspiration for the Stallions.
It’s now or never! To Tiko, Nauga and the boys- it’s far from over!
We can do it and bring back the joys of the past. Hakwa ro!
Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam is a regular contributor to this newspaper and the views expressed in this article are his and not of The Fiji Times.
