The Stallions have proven in their first two games that they mean business after beating the 2018-20 Skipper Cup champion Suva 25-17 in the first round and Namosi 29-28 in the second round. Last year, the Stallions finished without any trophy.
They were bundled out of the Skipper Cup semis by Naitasiri, while Namosi dethroned Fiji’s traditional giant of rugby as the holder of the Farebrother-Sullivan Trophy.
Hence, the efforts and machinery put in by Fiji’s powerhouse are worth commending and talking about.
It is too early to count the chicks, but I’m impressed with the performance of the Stallions especially the likes of Timoci Sauvoli, Nedly Grant, Jone Koroiduadua, Josaia Cokaibusa, Napolioni Bakewa, Avimeleki Nadeba, Jioji Kunavula, Taitusi Lulusinu, Peni Kadralevu, Sevanaia Rokotuinaceva, Ratunaisa Navuma, Tomasi Lalai, Sireli Naoba, Kelemedi Navucu, Panapasa Qeruqeru, Ilaitia Sela, Jone Dukumoi, Jonetani Kunavula, Viliame Nalolo, Eremasi Radrodro, Ilikimi Naruma, Samuela Laqai, Mesake Tuinamena, Paula Bete, Kelemedi Navucu and their warrior captain Manueli Ratuniyarawa who has led Nadro’s resilience and resurgence.
I read the sports article penned by Noa Biudole titled ‘New design to challenge team’ (FT: 30/04) where Noa mentioned that the Nadroga rugby team had a slightly different design on their jersey for this year’s rugby season, with a fading image of the coronavirus printed on their uniform.
Noa stated that the Nadroga Rugby Union family had it printed on their rugby jerseys as a challenge that they overcame the coronavirus, and will continue to move forward despite the impacts that the COVID-19 pandemic had brought to them.
This is what Sakiusa Nakalevu, who was their former captain, had to say, “We all faced the wrath of COVID-19, and for us the tourism industry was affected which was the main source of income to our Nadroga family, but we remained bold and strong to overcome the challenges.
“Our families and supporters lost their jobs, because the tourism industry was crippled, but they continued to come in numbers and support the players and officials.
“Our plans for development and improving our standard dropped, but we stood up and rose to the challenge, and even though we failed to maintain the Farebrother Trophy, we never gave up, and continued to work as a family, as a team, and make a comeback this year.
The Nadroga rugby team sees the jersey as a challenge that, we, the Stallions will continue to gallop through COVID, and show the world Nadroga can beat anything that stands on its way.”
Indeed, a challenging and emotional message from Nakalevu!
Thus, the sacrifices that were made are paying dividends this year, and I’m banking on the Stallions to be clinical, accurate and lethal when the Skipper Cup competition resumes.
Nadro is unbeaten, as the Stallions have downed giants Suva and Namosi. Until the re-start of round three, I wish the Stallions all the best! Hakwa Nadro!
- RAJNESH LINGAM is a regular contributor to this newspaper and the views expressed in this article are his and not of The Fiji Times.
