Counter for 'Pocket Rocket'

The Fiji Times - Friday, October 09, 2009 7:36 PM

NADRODA first-five-eight Jiuta Lutumailagi is high on the hit list of the Naitasiri loose forwards who defend the Farebrother Sullivan Trophy at Ratu Cakobau Park tomorrow.

Lutumailagi, who was groomed by Naistasiri coach Reverend Joji Rinakama when he was mentor for the Stallions, is a pocket rocket, has good vision and will be a thorn for any unwary opponent.

His gifted qualities saw him get the call up into the national 7s team last season where he teamed up with halfback Emosi Vucago.

Vucago will be at number 9 for Nadroga as the duo plot the Stallions charge to wrest the prized silverware from Naitasiri.

But Naitasiri have not hidden the fact they have already mapped out a strategy to disrupt the Stallions halves combination.

Lutumailagi was the general when Nadroga triumphed in the Digicel Cup semi-final clash.

Reverend Rinakama said the pivot was the mastermind of the Nadroga team.

"We have worked out a plan to stop him," Rev Rinakama said.

"He is just one man and Nadroga is stronger because they got experience as well in the forwards with the likes of Tiko Matawalu, Setefano Somoca, Rupeni Nasiga, Mosese Volavola, Asaeli Boko, Sremaia Naureure and Aca Ratuva.

“Nadroga has nothing to lose. This will be a difficult game for us but we are well prepared and ready to take them on."

Rinakama said six players who played under him during his reign as Nadroga coach when they wrested the trophy from Naitasiri in 2006 are back for the challengers.

They are Matawalu, Jonetani Ratu, Emosi Vucago, Apisai Turukawa and Lutumailagi.

Naitasiri also have a general in first five-eighth Kolinio Vunaki, who hails from Naduri Village in Nadroga, He will expect stiff challenges from the opposite number.

"We have a game plan in place and we'll do the talking on the ground," said Vunaki.

As of this afternoon there were no changes to the Naitsairi lineup.

Nadroga will field a team made up of former and current national 15's and 7's rep.

Nadroga coach Esala Nauga is likely to maintain the same side that won the Digicel Cup final against Nadi.

The Stallions has not won the prestigious silverware since 2007 but the side will throw everything into the game today in their bid fpr a repeat result the Farebrother Sullivan Trophy match in 2006.

NAITASIRI:
1 Jale Koroi, 2 Vereniki Sauturaga, 3 Vesi Rarawa, 4 Senivalati Vunibola, 5 Ben Sadrugu, 6 Apisalome Ratuniyarawam 7 Jimilai Nakaidawa, 8 Apisai Rinamalo (c), 9 Waisale Vatuvoka, 10 Kolinio Vunaki, 11 Mosese Luveitasau, 12 Leone Tabuarua, 13 Paula Tiko, 14 Jo Nakaira, 15 Nasoni Roko
Reserves: 16 Aisea Rinakama, 17 Sireli Kaloucava, 18 Jokini Sivo, 19 Silivenusi Gavidi, 20 Nemani Vecenayawa, 21 Leone Ratulevu, 22 Lepani Nabuliwaqa

NADROGA:
1 Tiko Matawalu, 2 Seremaia Naureure, 3 Setefano Somoca, 4 Manoa Tamaya, 5 Etonia Nabahiki, 6 Mosese Volavola 7 Semesa Goneva, 8 Asaeli Boko, 9 Emosi Vucago, 10 Jiuta Lutumailagi, 11 Maikeli Mocetadra, 12 Jonetani Ratu, 13 Mesulame Soqa, 14 Joeli Lutumailagi, 15 Mitieli Nacagilevu
Reserves: 16 Ulaiasi Lohevu, 17 Apisai Turukawa, 18 Sailosi Rabonaqica, 19 Aca Ratuva, 20 Seru Naqasima, 21 Jonetani Ralulu, 22 Paula Karitu.