Macuata coach optimistic
Macuata will now turn their focus on hosts Nadi as they battle it out at Prince Charles Park this Friday night.
Sunday 03 August 2025 | 20:30
Nadroga number 8 and captain Sakiusa Vosayaco dives for a try during their Skipper Cup Round 1 clash against Macuata at Lawaqa Park, Sigatoka on August 2, 2025.
Photo: Ronald Kumar
Despite the 18-39 loss to Nadroga in atheir Skipper Cup opener last Saturday, Macuata head coach Osea Umuumulovo is adamant of a good season.
He was given the coaching role five weeks ago and is still settling into the role.
“This is the first game,” he said.
“We were let down by our defence. It was lapse of concentration that resulted in our poor defence and Nadroga capitalised on it.”
Macuata will now turn their focus on hosts Nadi as they battle it out at Prince Charles Park this Friday night.
The star of the Cambridge Farms sponsored Nadroga was winger Alivereti Nainoca who scored two tries.
Nadroga supporters were silent when Macuata took an early 3-0 lead from Viliame Maiono’s penalty.
The Stallions struck back immediately with captain Sakiusa Vosayaco scoring the first try for a 5-3 lead with the conversion missing.
Against the run of play, Macuata lock Paula Bukavece pounced on a grubber kick from Laisiasa Waqamoce to score a try to regain the lead 8-5.
This woke Nadroga up as they ran in tries to Manoa Vilikesa and Nainoca with Jone Vatuwaliwali adding the extras for a 20-8 lead at halftime.
Macuata started strongly with the forwards keeping it tight that resulted in Isikeli Mavo’s try with Maiono adding the conversion to narrow the deficit to 20-15.
Then it was all Nadroga with tries to Nainoca, Iliesa Lotawa, Samuel Ledua and Maliki Matanisiga. Ledua added the conversions while Maiono kicked over a consolation penalty for.Macuata.
