A NEW winner will be crowned in the under-20 division of the Skipper Cup after Naitasiri bundled out title holders Suva in the semi-finals.
The Highlanders were physical from the onset and carried the momentum until the final whistle to win 22-13 at Ratu Cakobau Park in Nausori.
Naitasiri team manager Kausheel Prasad said they had worked hard not to be denied a place in the final given that they lost to Suva in the knockout stages last year.
“The boys gave their 110 per cent in this game as they have been preparing well for the past couple of weeks.
“They saw this as revenge for having lost to Suva last year and they came to win today (yesterday),” he said.
Naitasiri will now brace for Nadroga in the final next weekend.
The Stallions stole the win at the death in the second semi-final to send Nadi packing 34-32 under heavy conditions.
Nadroga team manager Emmanuel Fumanu said the match was everything they expected it to be.
“We knew Nadi had some bulky forwards but we just had to play well until the final whistle and concentrate on executing our game plan.”
Preparation for the final against their traditional rivals will begin on Monday.
“We know Naitasiri and like any other team we won’t underestimate them.
“There’s a rich rivalry between our two teams and we are looking forward to the final,” Fumanu added.
The final will be held next Saturday.
