Nadi Duo Fly Out
The departure of two star players overseas is a blessing in disguise for the Jacks Nadi side four days before the final of the Skipper Cup says manager Epeli Qoro.
Nadi play against Naitasiri on Saturday at Prince Charles Park.
Jack’s Nadi flanker Jolame Luvevou and utility Ilisoni Galala flew out on Monday for their contracts with a club in Georgia.
“This could be a blessing in disguise for Nadi rugby, they are missed but we have other players to fill in those positions,” manager Epeli Qoro said yesterday.
“This is not a setback to the team as there are other players in the squad.
“It works both ways; it is to the two players advantage now finding greener pastures through rugby and opportunity to other players to fill the spaces left by the two.”
Luvevou and Galala have been consistent starters for the Jetset town side this season, last Friday they were instrumental in their close 20-19 win against Suva.
The match was hosted by Nadi. Naitasiri slithered past Nadroga 25-22 in the other semi-final at Ratu Cakobau Park on Saturday.
While Qoro has been tight-lipped on the possible replacements there have been some obvious movements in the Nadi camp.
Old hands Asivorusi Naliga and Vilikesa Boletawa are likely replacements as they have been part of Nadi’s training runs recently.
Naliga has returned to camp and has been playing in the development side for two straight weekends while Boletawa has recovered from his injury that rested him for two weeks.
“We have players who are in the development side and we will do just a bit of reshuffle.
In a double header early last month Nadi had wrestled the Inkk Farebrother Trophy from Naitasiri at Ratu Cakobau Park 14-12.
In that match Nadi’s solo try came from Solomoni Tavai and their other points came from penalties while Kini Douglas and Jone Naqiri scored one try each for Naitasiri.
Nadi had led 8-0 at halftime.
Nadi had last featured in the final of the Skipper Cup in 2009 (then Sanyo Cup) where they lost to Nadroga 19-13.
They won the trophy in 2008 when they defeated Nadroga 10-8.
The Nadi survivors from the 2008 final still with the team are team captain Turuva Lumelume who plays at second row and inside centre Eseroma Nabalawa.
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