The Nadi under-20 rugby team exited the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva in high spirits yesterday after they won the Skipper Cup U20 competition when they beat Naitasiri 29-28 in the final.
Nadi came from behind with their 8-21 deficit at half-time to tower over their opponents in the end.
Samuela Ravono Navale, captain of the winning Nadi side, tipped his hat off to his teammates for their performance.
“Hats off to them, hats off also to the boys for also giving a good game,” Navale said.
“It was a good atmosphere, we could feel the crowd, especially the pressure from the crowd, especially from the Naitasiri fans.
“We know they came out in numbers today, because they came to cheer for the U20s and also for the big (senior men’s) team.
“At the end of the day, we want to give credit for the win to the Lord Almighty.”
“We just wanted to win the game for our supporters, our Nadi family. Well, we did it today, and the win is for them.”
Navale highlighted their winning display was the result of improvements made, especially in their line-outs and mauls following their semi-final win over Ba at Buckhurst Park last week.
“Our mauls, which we executed a bit of today (yesterday), about 80 per cent, 20% we lost the ball for our line-up.”
He mentioned the side moved forward in the game with three guiding principles.
“First of all, play with heart, play our hearts out. Secondly, play with pride, and third play for purpose.
“Those are the three things we took to the ground today (yesterday).”
Nadi was also awarded $5000 in prize money.
