THE support of the Western Division was felt by the Malolo rugby team as they prepared for the Skipper Cup final against Naitasiri last week and made a huge difference in enabling them to lift the trophy for the first time.
This was relayed by Malolo head coach Rupeni Nasiga following their 41-26 win on Saturday.
He said that as the competition got more intense and tougher as it progressed from the quarter-finals with Nadroga, Nadi, Ba, Lautoka, Vatukoula making an exit, the mission became larger than winning a trophy for themselves.
The previous Saturday, following their semi-final victory against Nadi, a senior player of the Malolo team told the two teams while in a huddle that his side would carry the hopes of the Western Division into the final.
With the win in the bag for Malolo, Nasiga shared how vital the support from the West had been in getting them this far.
“The widespread support of the province of Nadroga/Navosa, the west and the vanua o Lawa and its people to come out in large numbers to support this team that is here today,” Nasiga explained.
“I humbly extend my sincere gratitude and thanks to them.”
He extended his appreciation for the support of the chiefly house of Nakuruvarua, where the paramount chief of the province of Nadroga/Navosa resided, to the Louvatu na Tui Nadroga and others who opened up their homes and communities for the team to be accommodated at.
Emotions ran high on and off the field after the match as the men representing the vanua o Lawa were speechless yet joyous in comprehending their newfound fortune.
It was the end of a long journey that began with their promotion back into the Skipper Cup competition last year.
