Suva manager Nemani Tuifagalele said despite winning their Skipper Cup round 11 clash against Tailevu the visitors had asked questions of the defending champion going forward in the competition.
Suva edged Tailevu winning by 27-25 on Friday at the ANZ Stadium in Suva.
“It was a scrappy win from the coin toss, we failed to make use of some chances and Tailevu really gave us a go,” Tuifagalele said.
“We were missing some key players and although our players showed up there is a lot of work-ons we will be taking away from this game.
“But it’s good to come away with a win and we will take it and make some amendments next week.”
Tailevu fly half Seru Vaniqi nailed two penalties early for the visitors as they looked to secure a beachhead in the game. Suva hit back before the break with Suva fly half Enele Malele nailing a penalty to get the Capital City side back in the game.
Suva’s powerful scrum showed its wares, securing a penalty try as the heavier pack demolished Tailevu sending the teams to the tunnel with Suva holding a 10-6 lead at half-time.
Tailevu, rejuvenated from the break again asked questions of the defending champion early in the second half with quick ball rotation and silky off-loading skills saw tries from hooker Isireli Narawa, open wing Viliame Kanatabua and blindside flanker Vetaia Tikomailepanoni. Tailevu half back Simione Kuruvoli, who had been a thorn in the Suva side all game long, converted two of the three tries.
Just as the game seemed to go the visitors way, the tide turned with Malele leading the counteroffensive in the second spell with a penalty followed by an intercept try minutes later with reserve halfback Serupepeli Vularika converting.
Suva fullback Jeke Suguturaga scored the final try of the game with Vularika converting.
Tailevu looked to steal the win at the death but were denied by the brutal Suva defence.
Teams:
Tailevu: 1.Kelepi Gucake 2.Sireli Narawa 3.Poate Rainima 4.Joseph Magoh 5.Iowane Ligatabu 6.Vetaia Tikomailepanoni 7.Timoce Vunimoke 8.Mosese Naiova 9 Simione Kuruvoli 10.Seru Vaniqi 11.Josevani Drava 12.Paula Nayacakalou 13.Etueni Seru 14.Viliame Kanatabua 15.Osea Qamasea. Reserves: 16.Osea Sevu 17.Noa Bula 18.Watisoni Kedraika 19.Laisenia Manuqila 20.Jale Saukelea 21.Autiko Domonakibau 22.Alivereti Mocelutu 23.Marika Rasoaki
Suva: 1. Ananaia Rabonu 2. Lino Vasuinadi 3. Manasa Saulo 4. Manoa Tamaya 5. Israel Azariah 6. Tui Cakacaka 7. Taniela Sadrugu 8. James Brown 9. Nemani Buliruarua 10. Enele Malele 11. Josefa Vurewa 12. John Stewart 13. Jope Tikomailepanoni 14. Tevita Murimurivalu 15. Jeke Suguturaga. Reserves:16. Emosi Saladuadua 17. Meli Tuni 18. Benji makutu 19. Peni Tuiteci 20. Lemeki Saulailai 21. Jo Vesikara 22. Seru Vularika 23. Sireli Maqala
