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 FAREBROTHER-SULLIVAN TROPHY
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Saturday 9 October, 2004
Nadi maintain Farebrother streak
By Vela Naucukidi
Nadi continued their impressive record of taking the Farebrother-Sullivan Trophy back to the West on Saturday when they downed Tailevu 34-18 at Ratu Cakobau Park. The Jetsetters have not lost a Farebrother match played in the East since 1990.
First half tries from wing Marika Vakacegu, halfback Aporosa Vata and lock Mosese Fatiaki gave Nadi a 22-11 lead at the break; then after James Vuli had pulled Tailevu back into contention, Jack Prasad and replacement wing Aminisitai Niukula touched down in the last quarter to seal a comfortable victory.
Nadi’s last defeat in the East in this competition came against Suva 14 years ago. Since then, they have downed Suva twice, and Naitasiri, Namosi and Tailevu once each.
At a packed ground in Nausori, Nadi’s win provided sweet revenge after a disappointing loss to Tailevu in last weekend’s Telecom Fiji Cup semi-finals.
Tailevu started the match well with some promising attacks but Nadi's defence remained solid. In the 11th minute, Nadi opened their account with a brilliant try from Vakacegu in a move from left to right that saw Vata pulling in the defence and throwing a cut-out pass to the wing.
Last weekend, Tailevu used Usa Mataki at flanker who did an excellent job in closing down Prasad and spoiling Nadi's backline moves. Today, Mataki played at lock in place of the injured Timoci Tuinamata while the less mobile Epeli Draniikamate filled in at flanker.
In the 19th minute, Tailevu narrowed the scores with a penalty goal to Tevita Waqainaweni, only for Vakacegu to restore the advantage one minute later.
Mataki, captain for the day, soon levelled the scores with Tailevu's first try.
But Nadi’s slick backline resulted in two more tries before the breather as Vata and Fatiaki finished off moves from halfway.
Looking the fresher at the restart, Tailevu kept play in the forwards and controlled the game in the Nadi half. Vuli's try in the 47th minute lifted the home spirits as they clawed their way back into the game at 22-18.
However, some rudimentary errors and knock-ons cost Tailevu the momentum as they gave away possession to the visitors. The turning point came on the hour mark when fly-half Prasad pounced on a mix-up in the Tailevu team and raced away to score Nadi's fourth try beneath the posts.
Five minutes later, Niukula’s rubbed salt in the wounds to take the score to 34-18. And, disappointingly, referee James Bolabiu blew for full-time with six minutes still remaining on everyone else’s clock.
Nadi assistant coach and former national rep Savenaca Aria said everything had gone according to plan.
"The boys opened up the game in the first half and then closed the game down after half-time because we were playing into the wind," Mr Aria said.
"We still have to work on a few areas before the next challenge but we have more time to prepare. Our forward drive is still a bit high and also we have to be more careful alert in the loose."
Tailevu coach Apenisa Sassen, on the other hand, commended his boys for a brave effort.
"Only one team can win and one can lose, so I do thank my team for being there and never giving up till the final whistle," Sassen said. "It was actually easier to win the Farebrother – to defend it became a heavy load for us."
"Now, with one competition out of the way, we can really concentrate on our preparation for next week’s Telecom Fiji Cup final."
Saturday 9 October, 2004
Tailevu 18 Nadi 34
Farebrother-Sullivan Trophy
Ratu Cakobau Park
Half-time: 11-22
Referee: James Bolabiu
Crowd: 6,000
TAILEVU: 15 Tevita Waqainaweni, 14 Alipate Naqaya, 13 Jumilai Turaga, 12 Sairusi Ranuku (yellow card 19-28), 11 Kameli Ratuvou, 10 James Vuli, 9 Jonacani Eranavanua, 8 Alivereti Mocelutu, 7 Epeli Draniikamate (Sunia Sevu 57), 6 Sairusi Kadi, 5 Peni Tora, 4 Usa Mataki (capt), 3 Tomasi Qica, 2 Josese Bisa, 1 Lance Whippy
Tries: Mataki, Vuli; Conversion: Waqainaweni; Penalty goals: Waqainaweni (2)
NADI: 15 Joe Tora, 14 Marika Vakacegu, 13 Save Lutumailagi, 12 Isaia Nawaqa (capt) (Napolioni Naulia 48) (yellow card 69-78), 11 Watisoni Gonewai (Aminisitai Niukula 50), 10 Jack Prasad, 9 Aporosa Vata (Lalai Driu 48), 8 Peniasi Mataitini, 7 Samuela Dawai (Samu Kunanitu 65), 6 Manoa Naevo, 5 Apisai Naweilulu, 4 Mosese Fatiaki, 3 Rusiate Levula (Ravuama Samo 57), 2 Joeli Lotawa (Maciu Vakaruru 61), 1 Sikeli Gavidi
Tries: Vakacegu, Vata, Fatiaki, Prasad, Niukula; Conversions: Vakacegu (3); Penalty goal: Vakacegu
Scoring sequence (Tailevu’s score first)
11min TRY NADI, Vakacegu – 0-5
15min PENALTY GOAL TAILEVU, Waqainaweni – 3-5
20min PENALTY GOAL NADI, Vakacegu – 3-8
23min TRY TAILEVU, Mataki – 8-8
27min TRY NADI, Vata; conversion Vakacegu – 8-15
36min TRY NADI, Fatiaki; conversion Vakacegu – 8-22
41min PENALTY GOAL TAILEVU, Waqainaweni – 11-22
Half-time
47min TRY TAILEVU, Vuli; conversion Waqainaweni – 18-22
61min TRY NADI, Prasad; conversion Vakacegu – 18-29
66min TRY NADI, Niukula – 18-34
Full-time
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