Nadi Eyes a Win Over Naitasiri

The Saula Rabaka-coached Jack's Nadi side is set to topple Naitasiri in Saturday's Skipper Cup clash at Ratu Cakobau Park, Nausori.

The Jets are riding on rip-curl waves after it won over Nadroga and ended Suva's unbeaten run 17-12 last Friday at home.

Nadi vice-captain Joseva Namisa said yesterday they had prepared well, which got them back-to-back wins.

"We defeated Nadroga the previous week, and we knew that Suva was coming in as an undefeated side.

We know that Naitaisiri is a champion side and we are preparing for them," he said.

"We had to lift our game tempo to counter them with their fitness and their build-up in terms of forward play."

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Namisa added that they are working on certain strategies especially after half-time the timing of brining in those substitutes to boost their performance to play the full 80 minutes.

"The boys need to press on. If you see us against Suva in the last five minutes the boys can withstand it when they press the forward play," Namisa said.

Nadi is expected to field former Flying Fijian first-five eighth Serupepeli Vularika who has spearheaded their wins over Nadroga and Suva.

Vularika combines well with Fijian Drua utility back Tuidraki Samusamuvodre who has had a good game at second-five eighth.

Meanwhile, Naitasiri head coach Ilaitia Tuisese (Jnr) believes mental preparation is very important for his players because they are playing against a strong Nadi team.

Tuisese said they cannot afford to play catch-up rugby against Nadi.

"We need to start playing good rugby from the first whistle rather than leaving it too late. Our discipline is always our downfall too.

We have a plan set-up to help prepare for the game but sometimes the players get carried away from our plan.

"It's something that we need to work on, we need to stick to the game plan, do what we plan to do," he added.

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