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Saturday 23 October, 2004
Nadro smash Farebrother records
By Vela Naucukidi
The mighty Stallions of Nadroga put on another superlative performance to crush Nadi 49-13 at Prince Charles Park on Saturday, racking up the biggest victory by a challenging team in the 63-year history of the Farebrother-Sullivan Trophy.
Following on from last week’s smashing of Tailevu in the Telecom Fiji Cup Final, the Stallions’ determination in front of a packed crowd saw them dominant in every department as they hit Nadi particularly hard up front.
Nadroga loosie Mosese Volavola had another spectacular day, continuously first at the breakdown, giving good support and harassing Nadi fly-half Jack Prasad throughout the match.
Hooker Apisai Turukawa also played well, taking advantage of the space when he had the opportunity, and wily fly-half Jonetani Waqa used his experience and accurate kicking to play a commanding role.
Nadi, for their part, strung together some promising attacks but just couldn’t keep up with the pace of the rampant Stallions. The Jetsetters turned over ball in the rucks and a made too many knock-ons.
Former national rep Api Naevo partnered with his younger brother Manoa in the locks, and together these two were the pick of Nadi’s pack, putting in some bulldozing runs and showing plenty of passion.
Nadi captain Isaia Nawaqa at centre was guilty of being too slow in getting the ball wide, while the loss of hooker Joeli Lotawa in the first half didn’t help the home town cause. The national front-rower had to be taken away by ambulance and will miss Fiji’s matches next month against the New Zealand Divisional XV.
Nadi opened the score with a penalty goal to Marika Vakacegu in the eighth minute.
But four minutes later, Nadroga scored the first of their eight tries as star fullback Neumi Nanuku to put them in the lead following a well-worked line-out move.
Nadro’s second try also came from a line-out, where Turukawa pushed his way through to score.
As the visitors found their stride, wing Akariva Satavu scored a quick brace of tries before the break for a 22-3 advantage.
After the interval, Nadi briefly threatened to make a game of it when Api Naevo managed to break through the Nadroga defence for a try. Nadi worked hard in defence but Nadroga slowly wore them down.
Entering the last quarter, Nadro stepped up a gear and ran in four tries in an amazing eight-minute burst – firstly, flanker Marika Waqavou increased the margin with another try. Then, on came Aisea Tuilevu to grab a brace of tries inside four minutes while Jonetani Ratu picked up as the Nadro backline saw everything go their way.
In the last minute, Manoa Naevo claimed a small measure of respect for the Jetsetters, but this day belonged without doubt to Nadroga.
Coach Joji Rinakama said they had studied Nadi’s weak points.
"I knew that the only way to get through Nadi was to really hammer them in the forwards," Rev Rinakama said. "After every set piece, we tried quickly to get the ball out to the backs."
"Teamwork and good communication saw us though today."
Saturday 23 October, 2004
Nadi 13 Nadroga 49
Farebrother-Sullivan Trophy
Prince Charles Park, Nadi
Half-time: 3-22
Referee: James Bolabiu
Crowd: 12,000
NADI: 15 Joe Tora, 14 Marika Vakacegu (Aminisitai Niukula 47), 13 Savenaca Lutumailagi, 12 Isaia Nawaqa (capt) (Napolioni Naulia 46), 11 Watisoni Nawai, 10 Jack Prasad, 9 Aporosa Vata, 8 Peniasi Mataitini (Mosese Fatiaki 67), 7 Mosese Natuilagilagi (Timoci Patrick 38), 6 Manoa Naevo, 5 Apisai Naevo, 4 Apisai Naweilulu, 3 Rusiate Levula, 2 Joeli Lotawa (Maciu Vakaruru 26), 1 Ravuama Samo
Tries: A Naevo, M Naevo; Penalty goal: Vakacegu
NADROGA: 15 Neumi Nanuku, 14 Akariva Satavu (Vonivate Kunabilo 67), 13 Maleli Naiqitu (Aisea Tuilevu 65), 12 Jonetani Ratu, 11 Isoa Neivua, 10 Jonetani Waqa, 9 Solo Donu (Jone Daunivucu 62), 8 Dale Tonawai, 7 Mosese Volavola, 6 Marika Waqavou, 5 Timoci Volavola (Sunia Nadruku 73), 4 Kini Salabogi (Asi Mocelutu 70), 3 Tiko Matawalu (Paula Biu 71), 2 Apisai Turukawa (Ame Raviyawa 71), 1 Isaia Rasila (capt) (yellow card 47-56)
Tries: Tuilevu (2), Satavu (2), Nanuku, Turukawa, Waqavou, Ratu; Conversions: Naiqitu, Nanuku (2); Penalty goal: Naiqitu
Scoring sequence (Nadi’s score first)
8mins PENALTY GOAL NADI, Vakacegu – 3-0
12mins TRY NADROGA Nanuku – 3-5
23mins TRY NADROGA, Turukawa – 3-10
30mins TRY NADROGA, Satavu; Conversion Naiqitu – 3-17
38mins TRY NADROGA, Satavu – 3-22
Half-time
47mins TRY NADI, A Naevo – 8-22
58mins PENALTY GOAL NADROGA, Naiqitu – 8-25
66mins TRY NADROGA, Waqavou – 8-30
70mins TRY NADROGA, Tuilevu; Conversion Nanuku – 8-37
72mins TRY NADROGA, Ratu; Conversion Nanuku – 8-44
74mins TRY NADROGA, Tuilevu – 8-49
78mins TRY NADI, M Naevo – 13-49
Full-time
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