Fmf Suva rugby is right on course to its Skipper Cup defense as they remain unbeaten after the 8th round of competition.
The Skipper Cup champions is inching closer to a home finals berth playoffs after a 28-23 win over a gritty Naitasiri team yesterday.
In other round 8 results, Lautoka defeated Tailevu 15-8, Macuata thrashed Yasawa 32-15, Namosi edged Ba 29-27 and Nadi beat Nadroga 22-12.
It was tit-for-tat rugby throughout the 80-minute match as the visitors struck first with a converted try to Jone Naqiri before Suva’s Enele Malele responded with a try and Terio Tamani added the extra two from the conversion.
Levelled 7-all, a penalty by Naitasiri’s flyhalf Senijale Qiokata put them in front but, the lead lasted for a hot minute as the hosts found the tryline through Sireli Narawa.
Scrappy play by Suva gave Qiokata the chance to close the scoreline at 13-14 at the break.
Suva started the second spell with a bang with young winger Iosefo Namoce using his speed and strength on the left flank to deflect his opponents and dive over for a try.
Leading 21-13, Suva found itself on the receiving end as the Naitasiri forwards took over the game showing their dominance in set-plays.
They were awarded with a penalty try after Suva intentionally collapsed the maul seeing tight-head prop Inoke Ravuiwasa sin-binned.
Naitasiri got tactical as the rain poured down Laucala Bay, Qiokata kicking another three pointer from 20 meters out closing the gap 21-23.
With less than 15 on the clock, Suva found relief when Naitasiri was penalised in their own 22 and they made the chance count with number eight and vice-captain Mosese Naiova using his size to get over the line.
The match reached its climax towards the last five minutes with Naitasiri opting for three scrums five meters out from Suva’s tryline.
However, their hopes for a penalty try was shattered when a resulting play from the base of the scrum was not completed due to a knock-on.
“We felt some of the calls made was unfair particularly in that last quarter where we thought the referee was going to give us a penalty try because we had already taken three scrums but, at the end of the day one will win and other will lose,” Naitasiri coach Timoci Tinaviti stated.
Despite the loss, there were a lot of positives noted from their performance.
“Our plan was to have our forwards lead the charge and that was evident with our dominant scrums but will take the lessons and focus on the next game.”
Suva faced three tough teams in the past weeks with another big test next weekend.
“Every game is a final for us. Naitasiri really tested our set-piece in the scrum, and we thank them for giving us a tough battle as we look to face Nadi next,” Suva coach Solomone Nute said.
Suva battles Nadi in round nine while Naitasiri takes on Ba.
