The Kaite rugby team secured a hard-fought 10-5 victory over Gau at the Buckhurst ground in the HFC Bank Stadium, advancing to the plate semi-finals of the Flame Tree Waimanu Sevens Competition.
The match was tied 5-5 at full time and went into sudden death, where Kaite scored a brilliant try, much to the delight of their fans.
Coach Necani Railati expressed disappointment that the team did not qualify for the main division but emphasized their focus on finishing the tournament strongly.
“Since we fell short yesterday, the message was clear: we need to prove ourselves today,” he said.
Kaite fielded their development team in the competition, giving valuable exposure to their young players, most of whom are aged 19 and 20.
Railati explained that this approach also aims to keep the young players away from peer pressure and drug-related issues, which continue to impact many Fijian communities.
Looking ahead to their semi-final match, Railati acknowledged the need to improve their defense.
“Our young players are small compared to most of these teams, so we will need to step up defensively. But our defensive patterns will vary according to the opponents’ strategies,” he shared.
The Kaite Rugby Club is based in the village of Nakorosule in Naitasiri, with players drawn from the villages of Nakorosule, Waibalavu, and Waisomo.
