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 FAREBROTHER-SULLIVAN TROPHY
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Saturday 20 November, 2004
Nadroga stave off Suva
By Jeremy Duxbury
Nadroga came back strongly in the second half then held firm in defence in the final quarter to defeat Suva 15-9 in the Farebrother-Sullivan Trophy at Lawaqa Park.
As Farebrother clashes go, this was not the all-action spectacle one had hoped for, but the game remained full of intensity and stern defence right through to its conclusion.
Nadroga, despite trailing 6-0 at the break, took the edge in passion and physical dominance in the forwards, while Suva’s backline proved very ordinary and void of innovation.
Two penalty goals from Beni Soso gave Suva the early lead as the Stallions forwent simple shots at goal in search of that elusive try. Even after the half-time hooter had sounded, Nadro opted not to kick the three points from right in front of the posts, and came away empty-handed instead.
The Nadroa backline looked a little more creative with Banuve Vesilaulau posing a constant threat, though fly-half Etika Tovilevu stayed pretty stationary.
Equally, Suva fly-half Warren Hughes wasn’t enjoying his day with the boot and rarely produced anything of inspiration as Nadro’s drift defence easily dealt with Dan Baleinadogo and Vinaya Waka.
The one area where Suva matched their hosts became the defence as Nadro tried and failed to break a well-structured line.
And in the line-outs, Seva Rokobaro constantly pressured Timoci Volavola but was unable to get many clean steals.
As the second half began, the wind changed directions and favoured Nadroga just as it had in the first 40.
Isaia Rasila and his boys came out all pumped up while Suva struggled to find the increased intensity that would be required to win such a crucial match that means so much to Nadroga province.
As the Stallions took a grip of the game, it was their turn to neglect three points when given some penalties in the Suva 22. Instead, they pressed forward in bulk, looking for the vital breakthrough.
That moment came in the 48th minute, when fourth-phase ball seemed to leave Nadro with an overlap at both sides. As the Suva defenders shuffled to their right, Kini Salabogi switched play the other way to find prop Jiko Matawalu lurking in space and able to score easily.
Naiqitu made a fluff of the conversion as he attempted to guide the ball through the sticks instead of connecting firmly. Ten minutes later, Naiqitu had the chance to put his team into the lead with a simple penalty, but again his softly struck effort drifted wide.
So it was left to hooker Apisai Turukawa, who was dropped from the national squad earlier this year for disciplinary reasons, to step up and make a difference. In a similar position to the first try, Turukawa opted to have one last go at ploughing his way over and just managed to ground the ball through a mass of bodies.
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Turukawa scores the winning try
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This time, Naiqitu converted, then in the 65th minute added his first penalty goal to make it 15-6.
Soso collected another three-pointer in the 76th minute to leave Suva needing a converted try for victory. With time running out, Mo Taga’s men made one last effort that continued for a full four minutes and 18 phases after the hooter as the forwards slowly ate up the ground towards the Sigatoka end. With the Nadro try line in sight for maybe the first time in the match, a lost-forward in the tackle brought to an end Suva’s attack and thus their season.
The final match of 2004 will be played at this same ground next week when Naitasiri will try to restore some pride for the eastern teams.
Saturday, 20 November, 2004
Nadroga 15 Suva 9
Farebrother-Sullivan Trophy
Lawaqa Park, Sigatoka
Half-time: 0-6
Referee: Sam Tuidraki
Crowd: 7,500
NADROGA: 15 Jonetani Ratu, 14 Mike Leawere (Vonivate Kunadilo 70), 13 Banuve Vesilaulau, 12 Maleli Naiqitu, 11 Isoa Neivua, 10 Etika Tovilevu (Jiuta Lutumailagi 61), 9 Solo Donu (Emosi Vucago 74), 8 Dale Mataluvu, 7 Mosese Volavola, 6 Marika Waqavou (Asi Mocelutu 70), 5 Timoci Volavola, 4 Kini Salabogi, 3 Jiko Matawalu (Paula Biu 59), 2 Apisai Turukawa, 1 Isaia Rasila (capt).
Coach: Joji Rinakama
Tries: Matawalu, Turukawa; Conversion: Naiqitu; Penalty goal: Naiqitu
SUVA: 15 Beni Soso, 14 Filimone Bolavucu, 13 Vinaya Waka, 12 Dan Baleinadogo, 11 Navitalai Roko, 10 Warren Hughes (Mosese Liwaliwa 72), 9 Kelemedi Bola (Neumi Saumi 72), 8 Sakiusa Matadigo (Saiasi Moceica 74), 7 Jokini Sivo, 6 Iosefo Koroiyadi, 5 Anthony Wise (Lui Matavesi 62), 4 Seva Rokobaro, 3 Pailato Lalanabaravi (Sunia Koto 65), 2 Bill Gadolo (capt), 1 Josese Bale.
Coach: Mosese Taga
Penalty goals: Soso (3)
Scoring sequence (Nadroga’s score first)
3min PENALTY GOAL SUVA, Soso – 0-3
6min PENALTY GOAL SUVA, Soso – 0-6
Half-time
48min TRY NADROGA, Matawalu – 5-6
62min TRY NADROGA, Turukawa; conversion Naiqitu – 12-6
65min PENALTY GOAL NADROGA, Naiqitu – 15-6
76min PENALTY GOAL SUVA, Soso – 15-9
Fulltime
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