NADI Women will enter the Subrails Marama Cup Round 10 clash against Naitasiri Women with a final mentality as they prepare for a physical battle this Saturday at Ratu Cakobau Park in Nausori.
Team manager Amelia Tamani says her players understand the importance of the encounter and have put particular emphasis on defence during preparations this week.
Tamani said Naitasiri’s energetic squad would present a difficult challenge, especially with the match being played on their home turf.
“As always, we are treating every game as a final, so the girls are preparing well and we are ready for the big clash this weekend,” Tamani said.
“Our main focus for the week is defence since the Naitasiri team is young and energetic, and we really have to work very well with our defence.”
Tamani expects Naitasiri to come out strongly in front of its home supporters and use its forward pack to establish early momentum.
She said the opening 20 minutes would be crucial for Nadi, with the team needing to remain composed, disciplined and physical under pressure.
“We need to stick tightly to our defensive structure, make our first-up tackles count and deny them early gain line momentum,” she said.
Tamani said Nadi also needed to be smart with its options and field position, particularly by avoiding turnovers and unnecessary penalties in its own half.
She wants the team to absorb Naitasiri’s initial pressure before taking control of the match.
“Once we absorb their initial rush, we need to quiet the home crowd by executing our set pieces cleanly, controlling the ball and bringing our own high tempo into the match,” she said.
Tamani said maintaining discipline and matching Naitasiri’s physicality early would provide the foundation for Nadi to play its own style of rugby for the full 80 minutes.
“We are expecting Naitasiri to give us a good game and we know that they come hungry for the win this Saturday,” she said.
McDonald’s Nadi Women’s lock Rusila Koronawa in action during their Round 8 clash against Nadroga at Prince Charles Park in Nadi.
Picture: KATA KOLI
