TEIVOVO.COM – SULLIVAN-FAREBROTHER TROPHY

“I want to thank my family, supporters, vanua and especially my players who have come through five grueling weeks to today’s match.” Naiteqe said. "You played well and for the new boys – we look forward to a better season next year."

Victorious captain Tiko Matawalu shared the same sentiments: “It is always hard to play against Naitasiri, and today has proven that. But we are thankful that we came out winners."

It was good clean rugby from the first whistle – Nadroga, known for their forwards' game, found a good match from Naitasiri in this department.

Nippy halfback Emosi Vucago showed a class of his own for Nadroga, finding holes in defence, while Naitasiri’s Saula Rabaka showed he still has plenty to offer with his sidesteps and dummy passes.

Playing on the left wing for Nadro, Isoa Neivua delighted the fans with moments of brilliance combined with some strong tackles. On the right wing, young prospect Napolioni Nalaga looked a constant danger.

Despite some excellent passages of play from both teams, it wasn't until the 22nd minute before any points were scored – Nadro fullback Simei Koniferedi rounded off a handy backline move and ran around to get closer to the posts before touching down. However, he missed the conversion.

Both sides seemed to prefer a running game. On the stroke of half-time, after some stern defence from Naitasiri, Nadroga scooped try No.2 when flanker Mosese Volavola crashed over the try line with a little help from his friends. Koniferedi again missed the conversion to leave Nadroga 10-0 ahead at the breather.

The massive crowd, seemingly leaning more towards Nadroga, continued to swell, so much so that several ticket holders were refused entry at the gate because the stadium was already bursting. Many of those on the grass banks jumped the fence and sat on the athletics track as the Police tried vainly to keep them back.

This was probably an all-time record crowd for a domestic match in Fiji – and it was witnessed by TV crews from Australia who had given up on the coup story and decided to do a real Fiji colour piece instead.

The second half started with Nadro playing into the wind, but this didn't seem to weaken their domination. Two minutes after the restart, a lovely midfield move saw Koniferedi dive over for his second try as the Naitasiri defence looked on helplessly.

A quick tap in midfield saw the ball swing wide before centre Ratunaisa Narukutabua sliced back inside. With the defence flat-footed, a pass back out gave way for Koniferedi, who was in top flight. Again, he was not able to convert so Nadroga led 15-0 and looked to be building for a big score.

At this stage, Naitasiri hadn't really threatened the Nadro line, and it was a complacent piece of play from the visitors that gave Naitasiri hope. A swarming defence led to a charge-down from halfback Naiteqe, who reacted quickly to get the five points and put his team back in the game at 5-15 midway through the second half.

Just two minutes later, they were at it again and this time the forwards rallied for a try. From five metres out, the Naitisiri attack was continuously stopped by a resilient Nadroga defence until the forwards found a gap and Peni Naulivou was rewarded with the try. Rabaka missed the conversion so Naitasiri trailed 10-15.

Suddenly, after playing on the back foot for most of the match, Naitasiri found themselves in contention to keep the Farebrother.

And so, the last 10 minutes proved tense, but with the ball in the Naitasiri half, Nadro managed to hold on. Replacement fly-half Waisale Serevi, after missing a penalty goal, finally closed the door on Naitasiri's season with a slick drop goal from an acute angle five meters out.

Naitasiri, graceful in defeat, may rue their decision to skip the challenges in July and August which led to this backlog of tough games on consecutive weekends.

But what a great spectacle for Fiji Rugby this was: Two proud champions going toe to toe, some exquisite rugby, plenty of big hits, a record crowd, and not one yellow card in sight.


Saturday 4 November 2006
Naitasiri 10 Nadroga 18
Sullivan-Farebrother Challenge
Post Fiji Stadium, Suva
Half-time: 0-10
Referee: Joeli Tubu
Crowd: 24,000

NAITASIRI: 15 Josefa Satini, 14 Jone Koroduadua (Paula Tiko 18-26), 13 Peni Naulivou, 12 Nemani Vecanayawa (Semisi Muakalou 62), 11 Alusio Buto (Paula Tiko 55), 10 Saula Rabaka, 9 Asaeli Naiteqe (capt) (Valerio Racika 65), 8 Sairusi Rokosalu (Nikolai Baleitamavua 55), 7 Jokini Sivo (Senitiki Cakau 65), 6 Senivalati Vunibola (Nikolai Baleitamavua 40-45), 5 Wame Lewaravu, 4 Serevi Kubu (Tokoni Luvu 40), 3 Maseikula Gaunavou, 2 Vereniki Sauturaga, 1 Sevuloni Tabua (Amani Takayawa 45)
Coach: Jiuta Ranubu
Tries: Naiteqe, Naulivou

NADROGA: 15 Simeli Koniferedi, 14 Napolioni Nalaga (Neumi Nanuku 67), 13 Ratunaisa Narukutabua, 12 Jonetani Ratu, 11 Isoa Neivua, 10 Jonetani Waqa (Waisale Serevi 60), 9 Emosi Vucago, 8 Josefa Nagata, 7 Mosese Volavola, 6 Iliesa Ratuva (Timoci Volavola 67), 5 Mosese Vasuitoga (Josefa Domolailai 76), 4 Etonia Naba, 3 Paula Biu (Isaia Rasila 56), 2 Apisai Turukawa, 1 Tiko Matawalu (capt)
Not used: Timoci Mule, Koli Masau
Coach: Joji Rinakama
Tries: Koniferedi (2), Volavola; Dropped goal: Serevi 

Socring sequence (Naitasiri’s scores shown first)
8min – PEN GOAL NAITASIRI, Rabaka (missed) – 0-0
31min – TRY NADROGA, Koniferedi; conversion Koniferedi (missed) – 0-5
40min – TRY NADROGA, Volavola; conversion Koniferedi (missed) – 0-10
Half-time
42min – TRY NADROGA, Koniferedi; conversion Koniferedi (missed) – 0-15
56min – TRY NAITASIRI, Naiteqe; conversion Naulivou (missed) – 5-15
67min – PEN GOAL NAITASIRI, Rabaka (missed) – 5-15
69min – TRY NAITASIRI, Naulivou; conversion Rabaka (missed) – 10-15
72min – PEN GOAL NADROGA, Serevi (missed) – 10-15
82min – DROPPED GOAL NADROGA, Serevi – 10-18
Full-time


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