Suva under-20 captain John Jikoibau says his side’s biggest challenge is not the opposition, but maintaining the standards they have set for themselves after defeating Kadavu 26-3 in round six of the Skipper Cup competition at the Suva Grammar Grounds yesterday.
The captain praised his teammates for producing a disciplined display, but insisted the scoreline was only possible because the squad respected Kadavu from the opening whistle.
“As I mentioned last week, Kadavu was going to put in a strong performance,” he said.
“I told the boys not to underestimate any team. We just had to bring the right mindset and come ready to fight on the field.”
Suva controlled possession for long periods and defended strongly throughout the encounter, earning an important victory in front of their home supporters.
However, Jikoibau believes the performance also highlighted areas the team must continue improving.
“We don’t look at other teams. We work on ourselves,” he said.
“Our errors today are things we’ll take back to the whiteboard and work on. I believe the boys will improve on those mistakes.”
The skipper also revealed that injuries have become one of the squad’s biggest hurdles, with several players currently undergoing rehabilitation and physiotherapy.
Despite that, he believes the team’s character has kept everyone moving in the same direction.
“Many of our players are facing injuries, but I believe the spirit the boys bring into every game is what we need for this season,” he said.
Jikoibau credited the unity within the squad as another driving force behind Suva’s campaign, with players coming together from different schools and clubs across the province.
“The boys come from different clubs and different schools, but there shouldn’t be any barriers within the team,” he said.
“A team should be one. We came here today to play as a team and play as one.”
He also thanked the supporters who filled the sidelines at Grammar Grounds, saying their encouragement and prayers continue to inspire the young side.
Suva will now turn its attention to another major test next week when it will face Lautoka, with Jikoibau expecting his players to build on yesterday’s performance rather than become satisfied with the result.
