NAITASIRI found another gear after halftime to overpower Kadavu 43-17 in their Skipper Cup 2026 Round Two clash at Ratu Cakobau Park yesterday. The opening 40 minutes produced a competitive battle, with Naitasiri taking a 21-12 lead into the break while Kadavu remained within striking distance. But the second half belonged to Naitasiri.
The side returned with greater urgency, applying pressure across the field and making the most of its attacking opportunities as the match opened up. Kadavu continued to fight, but Naitasiri’s composure and improved execution allowed them to pull clear and finish with a convincing 26-point victory. For coach Timoci Tinaviti, the performance reflected the work put in during the week, particularly in tightening the team’s structure.
“Last week’s weakness against Rewa, we just worked on our shape. We lost clumps and all that, but we worked on it again today,” Tinaviti said. The Round Two encounter also provided Naitasiri with an opportunity to test its depth and work on different aspects of its game.
Tinaviti said the players were able to sharpen their set pieces, general play and first-play options while giving others valuable match experience. At halftime, his message was straightforward — trust the game plan and continue taking the game forward.
“What I told the boys, we just take it to our game plan and go towards them every time we get the ball,” he said. Tinaviti credited Kadavu for providing a strong challenge and said the contest gave his players useful lessons as the Skipper Cup season progresses. The win gives Naitasiri valuable momentum after two rounds of the competition, but Tinaviti knows the challenge will continue when the side travels to Lautoka next week. Naitasiri will now look to build on yesterday’s performance as the Skipper Cup campaign gathers pace.
