“We are preparing really well, and we will come to the ground to give Nadroga a good run for the trophy,” he said.
An Under-20 Nadroga player is taken down by a Nadi defender in
their Skipper Cup semifinal match at
Ratu Cakobau Park in Nausori last weekend.
Photo: Leon Lord
The Naitasiri Under-20 rugby coach Lasarusa Senibale told SUNsports that his team will have to improve their discipline in the final against Nadroga.
This is after his side received four yellow cards in their semifinal match against Suva last week.
“It’s a big concern for us and it’s something that we’ll be working on in our preparation,” Senibale said.
“We cannot afford to be issued yellow cards against a side like Nadroga.”
Senibale said his team needs to be consistent throughout the full 80 minutes.
“We are preparing really well, and we will come to the ground to give Nadroga a good run for the trophy,” he said.
“There is a strong sense of bonding and unity within the team; which is one of the strongholds of this team.”
Senibale said his players have worked hard on trust and character development.
“These are the foundations that have been carrying us through the season,” he said.
“We have one more dance, it’s the big dance this weekend and we hope whatever has carried us through the season will work out for us on the day.”
Senibale said he was surprised to see such a huge fan following from the people from Naitasiri.
“After the completion of the rounds, we found out we are the only Naitasiri team making it to the finals,” he said.
“We plead with the people of Naitasiri to come out in big numbers on Saturday.”
An Under-20 Naitasiri scrumhalf prepares to feed the ball in the scrum during their Skipper Cup semifinal on June 15, 2024. Photo: Leon Lord
Senibale said they are part of the process that sets the foundation and platform in building up the pool of rugby players in Naitasiri.
“We don’t have that huge financial support unlike other major unions, but we have values like loyalty that always carry us through during difficult times,” he said.
“We just have to step up and work hard because on our little shoulders; we have a province that needs to be represented on the field this weekend.”
The U20 final between Naitasiri and Nadroga kicks off at Ratu Cakobau Park, Nausori on Saturday at 1pm. Admission is adults: $15 and those under 12 are charged $5.
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