Super sub Inoke Rokocati was the toast of the Tailevu side when he scored the winning try in the corner to seal their 22-17 win over Nadi at Ratu Cakobau Park, Nausori, last Saturday. “I was happy that the last attacking play and my first touch of the ball resulted in the try that guaranteed us the win,” he told SUNsports. “We were advised to patiently wait for our chance and to strike when the opportunity presents itself.” Tailevu player Inoke Rokocati.. Photo: Ioane Asioli The 27-year-old Daku, Tailevu, native has a four-year contract with Australian club Condamine. “I’m currently on break ..read more

The Macuata Under-20 rugby team has shifted their focus to the Skipper Cup quarter-finals. While they still have two more matches to play against Yasawa and Tailevu, coach Anasa Molisodrau said their 24-17 against Fiji Pine Ba Juniors last Saturday has secured them a spot in the top eight. Macuata was seventh on the U20 points table after six rounds with nine points. The young Babasiga side has secured three wins so far after seven rounds. Molisodrau said while there were challenges faced, they are glad to have secured their spot. “We came for a win and for us to go to the quarterfinal,” he sa ..read more

The lack of communication between the players was the result of our downfall to a gusty Tailevu side. This was the gist of Nadi coach Saula Rabaka’s interview after their 22-17 loss to Tailevu at Ratu Cakobau Park last Saturday. “It was a high-pressure game as Tailevu was rushing up on defence and we made a lot of mistakes that cost us the game,” he said. “Credit to the Tailevu team as luck was on our side as they scored the winning try in the last minute of the game.” Rabaka said they have a lot of work to do before their next match against Nadroga. “We need to improve our defence and our bac ..read more

A man is in police custody after wounding an individual in Suva this morning. Divisional Police Commander Central (DPC/C) Superintendent of Police (SP) Farasiko Matawalu said the victim was allegedly repeatedly harrasing the suspect, despite being asked to stop several times. SP Matawalu said the suspect grabbed a knife from a nearby shop, and struck the victim causing injuries. The suspect is in custody while the victim has been conveyed to the Colonial War Memorial Hospital for medical treatment. Investigations continue. Feedback: adi.sovasiga@fijisun.com.fj ..read more

Suva loose head prop Isireli Fa (Jnr) is a lawyer by profession. Speaking to SUNsports, he was grateful for the opportunity to represent Suva. At the moment, he has no immediate plans to further his rugby career. The son of prominent Suva lawyer Isireli Fa (Snr), the 29-year-old namesake knows too well of the legacy that has been built by his father and sees his rugby time as a time passer at the moment. Fa was in Suva’s starting line-up during their crucial Skipper Cup match against Nadroga at Lawaqa Park, Sigatoka, last Saturday. Suva’s 31-22 win over the Stallions, Fa says, was because of t ..read more

With their 30-30 draw against Ba in their Royal Tea Ranadi Cup, Kadavu coach Etuate Naoro said they didn’t want to take the game seriously as they had qualified for the quarterfinals. “In the first half, we fielded six new players and we want them to have a feel of what it’s like to play in the competition,” he said. Naoro believes that this is the time to make such moves as he wants to field the best line-up for the quarterfinal. “It was a tough match and we will learn from our mistakes. Our ball handling was off as well with our lineouts. We will work on our set pieces as we have our big for ..read more

The traditional ceremony of welcome held at Veivatuloa Village, Namosi on Sunday serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of preserving and observing iTaukei culture, tradition and identity. The solemn event showcased the rich heritage of the iTaukei people and highlighted the significance of cultural preservation in defining our identity and pride as a nation. The display of respect and obedience towards the paramount chief, Ratu Suliano Matanitobua, by his subjects was a historic moment that underlined the role of tradition and culture in maintaining the way iTaukei live. The Namosi c ..read more

Since our first coup in 1987 to 1999, Sitiveni Rabuka was our Prime Minister until Ma­hendra Chaudhry, a civilian, with the FLP/ PANU coalition, ousted Rabuka’s SVT party and became Prime Minister for a short stint. George Speight terminated Chaudhry’s term through the infamous civilians coup in 2000. It was the turn of our civilian interim PM, the late Laisenia Qarase, who was appointed by the Bainimarama-led military council in 2001 to make way for a democratic election; Qarase’s SDL party won a landslide victory and become our Prime Minister. Again, on December 18th 2006, then RFMF Commande ..read more

The Fijian Drua fans are looking forward to watching the rugby match between our boys and the Hurricanes on Friday night. I read on Facebook a story about a die-hard Fijian Drua fan who did extra work inside and outside of their house last week, just to get her husband to buy her Drua tee-shirt and tickets for the Hurricanes-Drua match. The husband gave a big kaila (shout) when he learnt that the game will be on this Fri­day! The Hurricanes have won all its last seven games and we should not be surprised if they upset the Fijian Drua fans with another win. But, we know what our Drua boys are c ..read more

The Fiji Rugby Union is 100 per cent on the world renowned “Fiji time.” “Fiji time” is very much ‘alive and well.’ The naming of the Flying Fijians head coach is being procrastinated due to “unexplained technical issues.” Meanwhile, the world rugby world awaits the naming of our head coach. Well! “It’s now or never.” Feedback: letters@fijisun.com.fj  ..read more