Nadi is now one step closer to defending their title as Skipper Cup champions after defeating a determined Naitasiri side 23-21 in the semi-final to book a spot in the final this Friday.
Getting off to a slow start, Nadi’s handling errors in the opening 10 minutes of the match allowed Naitasiri to slot in two penalties and a try to give them a comfortable 13-0 lead.
The Jetsetters slowly found their groove and were able to cross over for a try after skipper Ilisoni Galala touched down a clearance kick from Naitasiri fullback Etonia Rokotuisawa.
They managed to hold Naitasiri who camped in their half for the next 20 minutes before heading into halftime at 13-7.
It was a totally different Nadi side that came into the second half after skipper Galala managed to get his second try in under five minutes to give his side a 14-13 lead.
With their powerful forwards pushing into Naitasiri territory after the kick-off, Nadi was awarded a penalty which allowed them to add an extra three points to the scoreboard.
Nadi was able to convert another two penalties while Naitasiri managed one, leaving the score at 23-16 with less than 30 minutes remaining.
Naitasiri managed to work their way into the Nadi half, ultimately finding a try which brought the score to 23-21.
However, Naitasiri was unable to convert their try to give them a 23-all draw, which saw Nadi make their way into the finals. Nadi head coach Cohan Politini said while his side got off to a slow start, he was happy that they were able to finish off strongly.
“Everything that we weren’t supposed to do was done in the first 10 minutes of the game,” he said.
“Even though they managed to score a try in the first half, there were many handling errors.”
However, heading into the changing room for halftime, Politini said the message to the boys was to find the attitude and mentality that allowed them to beat Nadroga last weekend.
“That was the message to the boys, for them to find that attitude and mentality that defeated the mighty Nadroga side last weekend.”
Nadi will now face Suva in the final at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva on Friday.
