NAITASIRI are turning up the intensity as the Skipper Cup heads towards the elimination stages, with head coach Timoci Tinaviti warning his players that no opponent can be taken lightly.
The Highlanders have only a few rounds left to sharpen their game before the pressure increases, and Tinaviti believes Saturday’s hard-fought victory over Nadroga showed both the potential and areas that need fixing.
“With only a few rounds to go in the competition, it’s time we lift the intensity of our preparations,” Tinaviti said.
“All teams in this year’s competition are quality teams and we cannot afford to underestimate any of them.”
Naitasiri were pushed to the limit by Nadroga at Ratu Cakobau Park in Nausori, despite taking a 22-8 lead into halftime.
Two successive Nadroga tries brought the scores to 22-20 and threatened to turn the match on its head.
But the Highlanders kept their composure when it mattered, responding with two penalties before sealing the 35-20 victory with a converted try in the final minute.
For Tinaviti, that fightback was an important test of his squad’s depth and character.
“The effort the team showed against Nadroga proves that we have the depth going into the last few rounds,” he said.
However, the coach knows there is little value in depth if the team cannot maintain its standards for the full 80 minutes.
The Nadroga match has given Naitasiri valuable lessons to take into their remaining preparations, with the Highlanders now turning their attention to Nadi next week.
Tinaviti wants his players to use the remaining rounds to build greater consistency and intensity before the elimination matches arrive.
For Naitasiri, the run-in has begun — and every match will provide another test of whether they are ready for the pressure ahead.
