Coach stays confident despite losses

The Rewa rugby team remains optimistic about their Skipper Cup campaign despite suffering their second loss to Malolo 8-10 in at Burebasaga School grounds last Saturday.

Team head coach Isireli Ledua told SUNsports that he was glad his team was exposed to high intensity matches in the early rounds, as this would prepare them for the remainder of the season.

“These two games really gave us a good platform for the Skipper Cup this year,” the former Flying Fijian hooker said.

“We managed to hold Malolo scoreless for the first 40-minute period. Then, in the second half, we had a few errors, and some calls from the referee let us down, but that's it, the referee has the final say.”

Ledua said he introduced eight debutants in the match against Malolo.

“Most of our players are new, and the message for the boys is we’re here to stay and not return to the Vanua Championship,” he said.

“I thank the vanua of Rewa for supporting the players and getting them fired up during the matches.”

Ledua acknowledged the Tikina of Noco for hosting the team during their preparation for the match against Malolo.

“We have a lot of potential players, and most of them are 20 to 25 years old,” he said.

“Some of these boys are former students from Queen Victoria School (QVS), Ratu Kadavulevu School (RKS), while the rest are from Lelean, Marist and Suva Grammar.”

Rewa faces newcomers Kadavu at Namalata District School in Vunisea, this Saturday.