Caption: The victorious Jacks Nadi side after beating Northland, 12-3 in the fourth round of the Digicel Cup. Photo: MUNAUWAR KHAN
By EMOSI LASAQA
Jacks Nadi show their class as they outmuscle Northland with a 12-3 victory at Prince Charles Park in Nadi.
A try from First Five eighth Kavekini Varo in the 22nd minute and Locks Isaia Vuki in the 76 minute means Nadi have now won four games in a row
Northland’s three points came from the boot of fullback Tikilaki Vuibau in the 17 minute of the second half.
Despite the win, Head Coach Iliesa Tanivula was not happy with the result saying there are still rooms for improvement
Probably the best aspects of the Nadi’s game – apart from some brilliant individuals – were their collective defence. They stopped so many threatening raids by the visitors.
Tanivula said Nadi is still on rebuilding phases.
“We take it as a win but we are still testing out our players with lots of injuries from the previous games. The 50-50 passes nearly cost us the game in the first half. We are looking at ways we can improve every week and the focus now is Ovalau next week,” said the former Auckland Blues winger.
Northland Head Coach Watisoni Ratulevu on the other hand remains optimistic despite the loss saying they will come back strongly in the next game.
“This is a very young squad-this is the first time for 11 of our players to taste the Digicel Cup competition. It’s a very inexperienced team but we are working hard on improving every week.”
In the other Digicel Cup encounters, Nadroga walloped Tavua 57-6 at Gavey Park, Suva beat Ovalau 38-14 at Albert Park, Naitasiri prevailed over Namosi 8-3 at Navuso District School while Vatukoula defeated Tailevu 23-19 at Theodore Park.