By Vela Naucukidi

Waisale Luveniyali scored 15 points for the Crusaders as they kicked off their Colonial Cup campaign with a 20-13 win over the Knights at Ratu Cakobau Park on Saturday.

Luveniyali hails from Naitasiri but is based in Nadi. The western boys won all the three grades, 33-5 in the Under 19s and 19-5 in the Under 21s.

The Knights battled valiantly to stay inside the Crusaders half but committed a lot of basic mistakes and took some poor options in the process.

On a number of occasions, they were over the advantage line but kicked ahead to no avail. Captain Isaac Mow appeared a little quiet when the hosts needed a talker on the field to sort out the team.

This was not the start to the season the Knights had looked forward to. They have a few wise hands in the team such as Mow, Epeli Ruivadra, Saiasi Fuli and Langi Peters, but overall it’s a young side.

The Crusaders showed better communication and discipline. Second five-eighth Tomu Jani, freshly converted from League, displayed great speed and made some useful breaks.

Coach Ifereimi Tawake said he was satisfied with the win but confirmed they have to improve.

“We played according to our game plan, which was to keep feeding the backs, and that really worked because the forwards used their fitness and brains throughout,” Tawake said.

However, Knights coach Iosefo Bele was disappointed with the outcome because the team didn’t do what they were meant to do.

“I told them to kick the ball deep into their opponents half and try and control the game there, unfortunately it didn’t happen,” Bele said.

The Knights also struggled in the line-outs and that was another area they will have to look into. The new scrummaging rule worked well for both teams.

Knights’ Luke Rogoyawa opened the scoring with a penalty goal on six minutes, only for Luveniyali to level the points two minutes later.

Former Fiji 7s wing Jona Nareki, making his Colonial Cup debut, ran home from halfway to score a five-pointer for the Crusaders, and from then on it became catch–up rugby for the Knights.

From a line-out 10 metres inside their own half, the Crusaders forwards got the ball swiftly to the backline, and Nareki, standing deep on the other side of the field, found enough space to run in for the try. 

Luveniyali then furthered the lead to 14-3 with two more successful penalties.

Five minutes before the break, Knights flanker Viliame Maya made a break in midfield and the forwards camped close to the try line. After a few attempts to push over, halfback Netani Koroi passed to the blindside for Rogoyawa to score.

At the breather, the visitors led 14-10. 

In the second half, former Highlanders halfback Fuli came in to take the commanding role at fly-half, and Rogoyawa moved to second receiver, Mow to Centre and Fero Tabaki paired up with Epeli Ruivadra on the wings.

The Crusaders, however, were in cruise mode and converted two more penalties to widen the gap, though Fuli pulled one back.

Not helping the Knights’ cause was a couple of yellow cards after the break that halted their momentum.

Overall, the standard of the game for an opening weekend fixture showed great promise, and augurs well for the 2007 Colonial Cup.


Saturday 3 February 2007
Knights 13 Crusaders 20
Colonial Cup Round 1
Ratu Cakobau Park, Nausori
Half-time: 10-14
Referee: S Tuidraki
Attn: 500

KNIGHTS: 15 Malakai Bakaniceva, 14 Epeli Ruivadra, 13 Fero Tabaki, 12 Isaac Mow (capt), 11 Maleli Bula (Saiasi Fuli 47), 10 Luke Rogoyawa (Netava Rarokoliwa 52), 9 Netani Koroi (Nemia Kenatale 66), 8 Romuluse Ratukana (Sairusi Rokosalu 66), 7 Viliame Maya (yellow card 55-64) (Semi Saulaki 77), 6 Peni Tora, 5 Kevurieli Bulivorovoro, 4 Langi Peters, 3 Mosese Sela, 2 Vereniki Sauturaga (yellow card 79), 1 Isei Colati (Amani Takayawa 66)
Coach: Iosefo Bele
Try: Rogoyawa; Conversion: Rogoyawa; Penalty goals: Rogoyawa, Fuli

CRUSADERS: 15 Isoa Turuva (Taniela Rawaqa 40), 14 Jona Nareki, 13 Vereniki Goneva, 12 Tomu Jani (Vilikesa Vai 69), 11 Kusitino Vatu, 10 Waisea Luveniyali, 9 Aporosa Vata (capt), 8 Sunia Nadruku (Ponijese Delana 57), 7 Sam Tabua, 6 Kelepi Ketedromo, 5 Jonacani Batirua (Ropate Senikuruciri 66), 4 Aseri Tale, 3 Paulo Cata, 2 Aseri Buli (Manasa Seru 71), 1 Sikeli Nasau (Sikeli Gavidi 66)
Coach: Ifereimi Tawake
Try: Nareki; Penalty goals: Luveniyali (5)


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