Set For Sukuna

Only the most disciplined team will walk away with the FMF Rise Fiji Rise Ratu Sukuna Bowl tomorrow.

These were sentiments shared by the Subrails Republic of Fiji Military Forces rugby team vice-captain, John Stewart.

The Naikorokoro, Sanima, Ka­davu, native will be out with his troops to defend the Ratu Sukuna Bowl at ANZ Stadium, Suva, at 4:30pm.

He shares maternal links to Nal­ase, Noco, Rewa.

And he said that preparations were on track, knowing their ri­vals.

“Preparations have been going on well for the past few weeks.

“We know that the Police have a good team and is also preparing well.

“So our fitness and preparation level should be equal to it, so we can reach the level of fitness that is expected and required of us,” he said.

Stewart has been one of the star players and a great leader in the lo­cal rugby arena.

He played a leading role for the Fi­jian Drua in winning the Austral­ian National Rugby Championship in 2018.

The RFMF sergeant also led the Ram Sami Suva team to defend the 2020 Skipper Cup Premiership title.

His leadership skills have been driving force for the many victo­ries.

“I believe that the winning factor in any team is teamwork.

“It is all about unity and together­ness, besides the preparation time.

“The most important thing that I have learnt in RFMF and rugby is discipline.

“This is not only for me but for all of us. Discipline is part of our lives as military officers.

“And the other two main things that are always addressed to us are obedience and to be a good listener.

“And if you have those values in­stilled, you are set for anything.

“So come Friday, only the most disciplined team will walk away with the Sukuna Bowl.”

Both RFMF and Police are laced with the Suva reps.

The Subrails RFMF side includes captain, Sireli Ledua, Leone Nawai, Jeke Suguturaga, Manasa Saulo and national sevens rep, Meli Derenalagi.

While Police have players like Ke­poni Paul and James Brown.

Stewart indicated that he has only won the Sukuna Bowl title last year since he started playing in 2013.

“I have been in and out of the Sukuna Bowl squad for the last seven years, but of all the years I played for RFMF, we only won last year.

“Not only many Suva players will feature for RFMF but Police side as well.

“We are both good sides but this will only be witnessed come Fri­day.”

Stewart said they had been work­ing hard on their game tactics es­pecially in the last quarter of the match.

The match will kick off at 4:30 pm at ANZ Stadium, Suva.

The 25-member squad will be an­nounced today.

Feedback: sereana.salalo@fijisun.com.fj