TEIVOVO.COM – 2006 Farebrother Sullivan Trophy challenge

Saturday, 9 September, 2006

Highlands we will go... Asaeli Naiteqe claim their prize

By William Tabuya

The Naitasiri forwards put on a sterling performance in their first defence of the Farebrother Sullivan trophy to defeat Tailevu 29-11 at the Post Fiji Stadium.

As the Naitasiri captain Asaeli Naiteqe simply put it: “Thank you to the boys for working together as a team and successfully defending the trophy.”

With the wind behind their backs, Naitasiri registered the first points only three minutes after kick-off. Senirusi Seruvakula marshaled the forwards well to dive over for the first try.

Kadavu import Jo Bola added the conversion to put the highlanders into an early 7-0 lead.

The Tailevu forwards were quick to the break down thus allowing a Viliksea Mucunabitu penalty to trail 3-7, when Naitasiri did not release the ball.

Towards the end of the first half, Tailevu worked hard but could not penetrate the Naitasiri mid-field defence. A change of option and an overlap from five meters out gave Tailevu the lead when Pauliasi Rokosuka dived over for the try.

The hooter sounded with Tailevu in the lead 8-7.

Tailevu came on strong in the second half but Naitasiri took over the driver’s seat once they found their rhythm.

The rampaging Naitasiri forwards caused havoc for their counterparts to collect three unanswered tries to Nemani Camainakelo, Tomasi Sivo and Vilive Lagakali.

Although Tailevu looked threatening at times, the sea of black jerseys stood strong to deny them the try line.

Saturday 9 September 2006
Naitasiri 29 Tailevu 11
Sanyo Cup and Farebrother Sullivan trophy challenge
Post Fiji Stadium, Suva
Half-time: 7-8
Referee: James Bolabiu
Crowd: 10,000 

NAITASIRI: 15 Jo Bola (Peni Naulivou 69), 14 Alusio Buto, 13 Semisi Muakalou, 12 Nemani Vecenayawa, 11 Jo Nakaira (Ben Kakaivalu 60), 10 Saula Rabaka, 9 Asaeli Naiteqe (capt) (Valerio Racika 73), 8 Senirusi Seruvakula (Sairusi Rokosalu 64), 7 Uraia Koroi, 6 Senivalati Vunibola, 5 Serevi Kubu, 4 Wame Lewaravu (Tokoni Luvu 69), 3 Maseikula Gaunavou (Amani Takayawa 63), 2 Vereniki Sauturaga, 1 Isei Colati (Oveti Vunidakai 69)
Tries: Gaunavou, Kubu, Sauturaga, Seruvakula; Conversions: Bola (3); Penalty goal: Bola 

TAILEVU: 15 Malakai Bakaniceva, 14 Alipate Naqaya, 13 Tomasi Sivo, 12 Samisoni Tora (Livai Vakatikali 64), 11 Epi Ratu (Jimilai Turaga 45), 10 Vilikesa Mucunabitu, 9 Samisoni Rabaka (Nemia Kenatale 52), 8 Romuluse Ratukana (Jone Naulumatua 76), 7 Maikeli Leweni, 6 Eliki Gavidi (Jone Laqereqeretabua 77), 5 Ulive Lagakali (Uraia Tuidawa 40), 4 Timoci Tinaviti (capt), 3 Nemani Camainakelo (Penioni Raikuna 77), 2 Pauliasi Rokosuka, 1 Mosese Sela
Try: Rokosuka; Penalties goals: Mucunabitu (2)

Scoring sequence (Naitasiri's scores shown first)
3min – TRY NAITASIRI; Seruvakula; conversion Bola – 7-0
9min PEN GOAL TAILEVU, Mucunabitu – 7-3
37min TRY TAILEVU, Rokosuka; conversion Mucnabitu (missed) – 7-8
Half-time
43min PEN GOAL TAILEVU, Mucunabitu – 7-11
47min TRY NAITASIRI, Gaunavou; conversrion Bola (missed) – 12-11
51min TRY NAITASIRI, Muakalou; conversion Bola – 19-11
53min PEN GOAL NAITASIRI, Bola (missed) – 19-11
60min TRY NAITASIRI Kubu, conversion Bola – 26-11
66min PEN GOAL TAILEVU (missed) – 26-11
70min PEN GOAL NAITASIRI, Bola – 29-11
Full-time