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 TEIVOVO.COM – SULLIVAN-FAREBROTHER TROPHY
Saturday 28 October 2006
Rabaka saves Naitasiri
By Vela Naucukidi
Naitasiri just managed to hold onto the Sullivan-Farebrother Trophy when fly-half Saula Rabaka converted a penalty goal two minutes into injury time to give his side a 20-18 win over Suva.
In the 58th minute Ben Soso had converted Isaac Mow’s try to put the Capitals into the lead for the first time at 18-17. But Rabaka’s kick after an off-side infringement in the final stages saw them through.
Referee Sam Tuidraki confirmed to Teivovo that he was giving advantage to Naitasiri for the offence and when Suva kept doing it, he had to award the penalty.
Though Suva did not blame the referee for the loss, the flow of play was frequently halted when tacklers did not roll away from the tackled area. In some cases, with Suva putting onthe pressure, Naitasiri appeared offside but escaped punishment.
As expected, this ended up being a physical game in a slippery conditions that resulted in a number of knock-ons and handling errors.
The hosts had the advantage of playing together for the last four weekends which showed in their support play and both forwards and backs linked well.
Naitasiri loosie Nikolai Baleitamavua, a Fiji U21 rep, showed impressive speed and aggression. Wing Alusio Buto also played outstandingly after being rested last week.
Suva, on the other hand, had the opportunity to take the fabled trophy home, but wrong options denied them victory.
Four players from Escott Shield winners Lomaiviti took the field for Suva – captain Bill Gadolo, Kelemedi Bola, Samu Bola and Aisake Tarogi.
Both Bola brothers had good games – defending well and opening up gaps in attack.
South African based Sireli Naqelevuki really showed off his talents, probably playing well enough to get noticed for the FMF FLying Fijians. As usual, he was a hard man to take down, dragging three or four men with him.
Naitasiri captain Senirusi Seruvakula said they knew they needed to take him down quickly because he is so strong.
“I told the boys they had to tackle low, if not then he’ll walk all over them,” Seruvakula said.
Five minutes into the match, Naqelevuki ran down the touchline, and nearly scored.
In the 12th minute, Naitasiri fullback Josefa Satini opened the scores with a beautiful try. From inside their 22, the Highlanders displayed some good handling and great support that resulted in a try at the other end.
Rabaka added two points with the conversion to put them in the lead 7-0.
Three minutes later, the hosts added another five pointer from a try to Pio Raitoni. Suva fly-half Saiasi Fuli made the mistake of not diving on a loose ball and opted to kick out. He missed as three defenders were onto him. Lock Serevi Kubu picked up the ball and off he went before off loading to Raitoni who dived over for the try.
Ben Soso kicked a penalty goal in the 19th minute, to get Suva on the board.
Two minutes later, Rabaka scored Naitasiri’s third try to further the gap. Again, the ball fell behind Fuli and in a sprint for the line, Rabaka just managed to touch down first.
At half-time, Naitasiri led 17-6.
Suva regrouped in the second half and Naqelevuki scored just a few seconds from the restart, set up by Fuli.
Fuli moved back to his halfback to replace Waisale Vatuvoka and Jack Prasad came in at fly-half. Vatuvoka is a former Naitasiri player and Fiji U21 rep.
Fuli and Prasad linked well and Fuli doubled up on attack to create overlaps outside.
In the 58th minute, Isaac Mow scored Suva’s second try and Soso converted the try to put Suva into the lead at 18-17. Again Prasad and Fuli managed to control the movement of the ball as it flowed from right to left and back before Fuli made a break for Mow to cut inside and score under the posts.
Two minutes into injury time, with Suva still holding their one-point lead, Rabaka broke the hearts of the Suva fans when his penalty kick sliced the uprights.
Yet Suva still had one chance left when Tuidraki awarded a penalty against Naitasiri for a hand in the ruck, but Soso's long-range effort floated wide.
Coach Mosese Taga told Teivovo that the conditions at Ratu Cakobau Park affected their play.
“The wet conditions affected our line-outs and our game plan too,” Taga said, adding that his boys took some wrong options that were crucial.
“We were supposed to use our forwards but it didn’t happen on the field. That last penalty could have given us the win but Soso missed.”
Taga, wished the best for Naitasiri in next weekend's game as Suva captain Gadolo hoped they would kept the trophy in the East.
Naitasiri will play Nadroga next weekend.
Naitasiri coach Jiuta Ranubu is planning to work extra time for the game against Nadroga.
“We know how they normally play, we’ll find a way to counter them,” Ranubu said, also mentioned that Rabaka was so pressured in the second half that they didn’t excute their game plan.
“That’s why Suva came back at us – we should try harder to remain calm when playing under pressure.”
Saturday 28 October, 2006
Naitasiri 20 Suva 18
Sullivan-Farebrother Trophy
Ratu Cakobau Park, Nausori
Half-time: 17-6
Referee: Samu Tuidraki
NAITASIRI: 15 Josefa Satini, 14 Paula Tiko (Tieri Ratini 44), 13 Peni Naulivou, 12 Pio Raitoni (Semisi Muakalou 59), 11 Alusio Buto, 10 Saula Rabaka, 9 Asaeli Naiteqe (Valerio Racika 60), 8 Senirusi Seruvakula (capt) (Yellow card 49-58), 7 Nikolai Baleitamani (Wavisalome Vanakena), 6 Jokini Sivo, 5 Wame Lewaravu, 4 Serevi Kubu (Tokoni Luvu 59), 3 Maseikula Gaunavou (Yellow card 25-34), 2 Vereniki Sauturaga, 1 Isei Colati (Sevuloni Tabua 43)
Coach: Jiuta Ranubu
Tries: Satini, Raitoni, Rabaka; Conversion: Rabaka; Penalty goal: Rabaka
SUVA: 15 Ben Soso, 14 Isaac Mow (Sireli Temo 74), 13 Sireli Naqelevuki, 12 Kelemedi Bola, 11 Daniele Tabuakuru, 10 Saiasi Fuli, 9 Waisale Vatuvoka (Jack Prasad 53), 8 Koresi Ledua, 7 Samu Kunanitu (Samu Saumaisue 45), 6 Samu Bola, 5 Samu Vakaruru (Karai Raogo 64), 4 Fero Daunitutu, 3 Pailato Lalanabaravi, 2 Bill Gadolo (Capt), 1 Aisake Tarogi
Coach: Mosese Taga
Tries: Naqelevuki, Mow; Conversion: Soso; Penalty goals: Soso
Scoring sequence (Naitasiri's scores shown first)
12min – TRY NAITASIRI, Satini; conversion Rabaka – 7-0
15min – TRY NAITASIRI, Raitoni; conversion Rabaka (missed) – 12-0
19min – PEN GOAL SUVA, Soso – 12-3
21min – TRY NAITASIRI, Rabaka; conversion Satini (missed) – 17-3
25min – PEN GOAL SUVA, Soso – 17-6
Half-time: 17-6
41min – TRY SUVA, Naqelevuki; conversion Soso (missed) – 17-11
44min – PEN GOAL NAITASIRI, Satini (missed) – 17-11
58min – TRY SUVA, Mow; conversion Satini – 17-18
71min – PEN GOAL NAITASIRI, Satini (missed) – 17-18
80min – PEN GOAL NAITASIRI, Rabaka – 20-18
82min – PEN GOAL NAITASIRI, Satini (missed) – 20-18
85min – PEN GOAL SUVA, Soso (missed) – 20-18
Full-time
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