THE Naitasiri women’s team will use its 36-20 defeat to Nasinu in round seven of the Subrails Marama Championship at Ratu Cakobau Park as a lesson rather than a setback.
The Naitasiri side struggled to contain Nasinu’s attacking momentum as the match progressed, with the hosts eventually pulling away to secure the win.
But for Naitasiri vice-captain Maraia Roravudi, the focus is already on the response.
Roravudi said the team must put the result behind them and turn its attention to the next challenge, with training set to be the foundation of its recovery.
“Our focus is not to dwell on our losses, but to prepare better for our next match,” she said. Rather than looking for excuses, Roravudi credited Nasinu for the way it approached the contest and said the defeat had exposed areas Naitasiri needed to sharpen.
“We thank Nasinu for the game. They played well, and we saw areas where we need to improve,” she said.
The 16-point margin showed the work Naitasiri still has to do, particularly if it is to compete more consistently when matches enter the closing stages. Roravudi believes the answer lies in getting back to the basics, with the side turning its attention to training and correcting the areas that let it down against Nasinu.
“Our focus now is on our training,” she said. The Naitasiri vice-captain also made an appeal for greater support around the team as the competition continues.
“We are seeking more support from Naitasiri, and we are doing our best to get that support,” she said.
For Naitasiri, the challenge now is to turn the disappointment into determination.
Roravudi said the side would not allow yesterday’s defeat to define its campaign, instead using the experience to build towards a stronger performance in its next outing.
