REWA defeated Lautoka 33-22 in the semi-final of the Vodafone Vanua Cup Challenge at Ratu Cakobau Park yesterday.
The team made up of young players were sensational and showed pure rugby talent.
After 13 minutes into the first half Rewa had scored a try from Alivereti Veitokani and converted to lead 7-0.
Rewa had the home crowd advantage with their fans cheering them all throughout the game.
Rewa scored their second try to Emoni Baleisuva in the 21st minute and the missed the conversion to lead 12-0.
Lautoka managed to score a try to Viliame Satala in the 37th minutes with an unsuccessful conversion from Sireli Satakala to see them trail Rewa 5-12 at the end of the first half.
Lautoka dominated the lineouts and scored the opening try in the second half to Maikeli Sivo and brought scores to 10-12.
Lautoka took over the lead to 17-12 after scoring another try.
But Rewa replied with another try to Malaki Raoma and Veitokani added the extras to see them again in the lead 19-17.
It was billed as a blockbuster match and both teams started in a nervous fashion with few simple errors but Rewa kept their cool and pressured the men in maroon.
Try-scorer Baleisuva suffered a concussion after a big hit on Maikeli Sivo of Lautoka and he was carried out off the ground because of a serious injury.
Rewa increased their scores with another try from Isaia Naivalu in the 25th minute and Veitokani made sure the conversion was successful which it did extending their lead 26-17.
It soon became clear that Lautoka couldn’t take the pressure as the Rewa team were combative at the breakdown.
Rewa scored another try from to Malakai Raoma in the 29th minute and a successful conversion from Veitokani took their lead to 33-17.
The intensity lifted to another level in closing stages of the second half where Lautoka had a tough time breaking the Rewa defence but with a late try from Josateki Lago and the missed conversion couldn’t help the Lautoka as Rewa held on to win 33-22.
Rewa coach Ro Alifereti Doviverata was emotional and said the boys had put in a lot of focus in the preparation for this game in the past 11 weeks.
“In the second half I told them that this will be the last 40 minutes of your rugby career so whatever you got, put it all out as Lautoka came out strong in the second half and we had to improve right up to the end.
“It was commitment that drove the boys to the very end and I am thankful to the boys for the job well done,” Doviverata said
He said they had achieved their second objective and now the main focus is the final.
Rewa will face the winner of the Ovalau- Navosa game in the final.
