SUVA kicked off its 97 Telecom Cup campaign with a lackluster 8-3 victory over Vatukoula in rainy conditions at Theodore Park, Vatukoula. The match saw Suva struggle to find their rhythm, remaining tied at 3-3 until the final 10 minutes when Suva’s forwards finally crossed the Vatukoula tryline.
Despite being an experienced team, Suva’s performance did not meet expectations in front of an audience of approximately 400 rugby fans. Vatukoula’s coach, Jo Kenatale, attributed the team’s difficulties to the wet ground conditions, stating that they had prepared to challenge Suva’s powerful forwards throughout the match.
Kenatale remarked, “Leading up to the game, I told my boys that the only way to stop Suva was to tire out their big forwards before utilizing the ball out wide.” He noted that recent rains had contributed to the heavy conditions on the field which favored Suva’s slow and deliberate style of play.
Nevertheless, Kenatale commended his young forwards, led by former Rewa representative Jone Kaila, for their strong efforts, acknowledging the need to enhance their rucking and mauling ahead of their upcoming match against Nadi.
Suva’s heavy forwards, including Taga, Shane Pickering, and Paula Biu, started strongly with tactics centered on rolling mauls, but they were thwarted by Vatukoula’s effective play on the slippery ground. The first points of the match came from a penalty by Hughes after Vatukoula was penalized for offside, giving Suva a 3-0 lead.
Vatukoula responded with a long-range penalty from Filipe Tuilawalawala, leveling the score at 3-3. The winning try for Suva was scored by Inoke Male.
The teams were as follows:
Suva – Taga, Biu, Pickering, Jo Waqavolavola, Osea Waqavou, Soro, Waqanivere, Male, Aminisitai Seru, Hughes, Adrole, Matakibau, Ratulevu.
Vatukoula – Nemani, Usaia, Taione, Vereimi, Paula Hicks, Sele, Jone Kaila, Eddie, Tomasi Raniu, Jerry, Waisea Turaga, Abele Drugu, Penaia, Iliesa, Filipe Tuilawalawala.