The Fijiana Makosoi side aim to defend the Crest Na Iri Trophy at Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka today.

This was after the home favourites which included Fiji Airways Fijiana 7s squad members Jiowana Sauto, Pricilla Siata and Esiteri Bulikiobo were edged 17-12 by the USA Stars.

Merewalesi Manumanutabua, and a Siata, scored a try each for Makosoi and USA Stars replied with tries to Sabrina Poulin, Ashleigh Walker and Mardi Watts.

“We will work hard in the next match, we did failed to capitalise against USA,” said team captain Siata.

USA Stars skipper Pam Buisa said, “We just came together in few days and came from different development countries globally and it is great to see us pull this through.”

“I have played Fijians before and they are physical and aggressive teams and definitely were concerned but had analysed ourselves coming into the competition.”

According to Buisa, who is part of the Canadian women’s rugby squad that she trains with some Fijian girls in Canada.

Furthermore both teams won by default in their second game after opponent in Pool K, Blue Light Sisters failed to turn up for the tournament.

Japan SDS topped Pool L with impressive wins over Hotspring Savusavu 50-0, and hammered Nadi Blazers 31-7.

Pool L saw Striders beat upset Hong Kong 21-7, and beat Snax Nadi Aviators 19-10 in their final match.

Hotspring Savusavu’s Asenaca Diranuve on the attack against Japan SDS in the Crest Na Iri competition at Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka on January 18,2018.
Photo: Waisea Nasokia

WHAT’S ON TODAY

Cup quarter-finals: Makosoi – Hong Kong, Star USA – Hotspring Savusavu, Japan SDS – Snax Nadi Aviators, Striders – Nadi Blazers.

RESULTS

Fijian Makosoi wbd Blue Light Sisters, Stars USA wbd Blue Light Sisters, Fijian Makosoi 12-17 Stars USA, Japan SDS 50 – 0 Hotspring Savusavu, Hong Kong 7– 21 Striders, Nadi Blazers 35 – 12 Hotspring Savusavu, Snax Nadi Aviators 17 – 21 Striders, Japan SDS 7 – 35 Nadi Blazers, Hong Kong 17 – 10 Snax Nadi Aviators.

Edited by Osea Bola

Feedback:  waisea.nasokia@fijisun.com.fj