Mirini Shines In Suva’s Big Win
Suva rugby flanker Vitalina Mirini guided her side to a 55-7 bonus point victory over Yasawa in the second round of the ANZ Marama Championship at Prince Charles Park in Nadi on March 25th, 2022.
She scored three tries as the visitors proved to be the team to beat as they ran four unanswered tries in the first half.
Suva flanker Vitalina Mirini against Yasawa during the ANZ Marama Championship clash at Prince Charles Park, Nadi, on March 25, 2022.
What happened: Suva took the lead in the fourth minute with Mirini’s try and the conversion from halfback Luisa Basei made it 7-0. In the 9th minute Katelini Kaloumaira scored their second try which was converted by Basei for a 14-0.
In the 30th minute Yasawa’s campaign suffered a blow when their first five eight was shown a red card for a spear tackle on her opposite number. With a player down, Suva ran in tries to Makereta Tunidau and Mirini. Only one of the tries was converted.
Halftime: Yasawa 0-26 Suva.
In the 41st minute, former Fiji athletics sprinter Paulina Korowaqa ran untouched to score and was followed by Naomi Rokowati’s try in the 45th minute. Both tries were converted by Basei for a 38-0 lead.
In the 53rd minute Yasawa winger Ana Sirisani managed to break the deadlock with a try as she ran untouched from the halfway mark with the conversion from Salote Vuniwaqa going over, 38-7.
In the last quarter of the match, Suva winger Mereseini Waqatoki, Mereseini Latu and Mirini were able to score a try to seal the match.
Comments: Suva captain Basei said: “We were adamant to get maximum points from this match and we executed that well. We dominated the set piece which is a crucial department to involve ourselves in so we could score more tries.”
Yasawa captain Vika Nakocia said: “We can do better as a team but Suva really showed us where we are at the moment.
“We need to train more, improve on our fitness and most importantly communicate in the field.”
RESULTS
U19
- Namosi 5-5 Nadroga
- Tailevu 17-7 Lautoka
- Suva 14-10 Yasawa
- Nadi 22-0 Naitasiri
SENIOR WOMEN’S
- Namosi 29-21 Nadroga
- Tailevu 22-10 Lautoka
- Suva 55-7 Yasawa
- Nadi 61-7 Naitasiri
