The Nadroga rugby team will seek opportunities to outplay defending champions Suva in their Skipper Cup final match at Ratu Cakobau Park, Nausori on Saturday.

Nadroga Rugby Union president Jiuta Waqavonovono yesterday said, “That is the only way we’ll go through Suva is by outplaying them. Suva has big forwards and backline in their team.

“Preparation has been normal, and the intensity of the training is not much because the players have been playing rugby the whole season.”

Waqavonovono said they just need to assess the niggling injuries from last week’s semi-final match against Naitasiri.

“We have a young team, and we nurture our own players because we have a player base of about 1600 playing club rugby in Nadroga,” he said.

“These players are the cream of the crop as they are very young and talented.”

Waqavonovono said the aim of their union is to ensure that players secure professional rugby careers.

“There is a saying that goes: we don’t build champion teams, but we build champion players to play rugby, enjoy rugby and earn a living out of it,” he said.

“We have reassessed ourselves throughout the season to be more effective in our attack and defense set-up.”

Waqavonovono said the players would be an asset to their future clubs provided they perform their positional role in the field.

“We are hopeful that doors would open from overseas so these players would move out and we’ll nurture the next batch of players,” he said.

“The whole province of rugby union is proud because five Fijian Drua players that represent Nadroga have left for England.”

Waqavonovono said the five players are Apisalome Vota, Waqa Nalaga, Taniela Rakuro, Ilaisa Droasese and Emosi Tuqiri.

“This Nadroga rugby team is going to play the brand of rugby where people come and watch,” he said.

“We are trying to revive that game of rugby (open flair) that people come to watch.”

FMF Suva Flyhalf Livai Ikanikoda attempts to grab a Nadi player during the Skipper Cup semi-final on June 15, 2024. Photo: Leon Lord

Two Nadroga sides are part of the Skipper finals this season with the Under-20 side taking on Naitasiri and the main final Nadroga taking on defending champions Suva.

Waqavonovono wishes the Suva team all the best in their preparation for the Skipper Cup final.

“Come what may on Saturday; rugby is still the winner,” he said.

Saturday draws at Ratu Cakobau Park: ANZ Marama Cup 9am Under-20 Suva vs Nadi; llam senior Suva vs Namosi. Skipper Cup 1pm U20 Naitasiri vs Nadroga, 3pm snr Nadroga vs Suva.

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