SARU Dragons will meet Navy Albatross in the grand final of the Vodafone Cup next Saturday, after beating Nadera Panthers 20-10 in their Vodafone Cup semi-final at Buckhurst Park in Suva yesterday.
Despite losing prop Simon Kotoilekeba to a red card, the Dragons refused to surrender their advantage, with every player stepping up to deliver a hard-fought victory.
Team patron Leone Bulinalulu said Kotoilekeba’s dismissal gave the team extra motivation.
“After Simon was sent off, it gave us extra motivation. Every player knew they had an added responsibility to step up and contribute to the team,” Bulinalulu said.
The match produced a brutal contest, with both sides displaying physicality and exceptional rugby league skills.
However, the message delivered by the Dragons coaching staff at halftime proved decisive.
Bulinalulu said the team was instructed to maintain pressure and execute its running lines properly to ensure the players consistently crossed the advantage line.
“The message from the coaches was to maintain the pressure and execute our running lines properly to get over the advantage line,” he said.
The Dragons responded with greater intent in the second half and their victory sets up a showdown against Navy Albatross, who dismantled Army Bears 44-10 in the other semi-final.
Bulinalulu said they were back to work on Monday to prepare for the final.
Fullback Senivalati Vunibola Junior again produced a strong performance, strengthening his claim for a place in the Vodafone Fiji Bati final squad for the upcoming Rugby League World Cup.
Other results:
FNRLW Premiership semi-finals
Namoli West Tigers 36-34 USP Raiders
Army Bears 28-14 Police Sharks
