Nadi is 2023 Inkk Farebrother Champion
A class performance was showcased this afternoon at Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka after the final challenge for the Inkk Farebrother Cup between Nadroga and Nadi as both teams kept spectators on their feet with some entertaining rugby.
The Stallions who have kept the cup through the first 3 challenges this year were made to work hard by a Jetset team that had 4 weeks to prepare for an encounter that was intense from the first whistle.
Nadi drew first blood early in the game with a try to Flyhalf Navitalai Tuilawa in the second minute that was converted while in the fifth minute, Nadroga replied with a five pointer to nippy halfback Aminiasi Natoga which was converted by flyhalf Jack Volavola – these tries set the tone of the first half as both teams scored 2 tries each before midway mark of their challenge, but Nadroga edged their opponent with converted tries and a converted penalty.
The halftime score board recorded Nadroga leading by 17-12.
In the first minute of the second half, Jack Volavola added another 3 points through a penalty that was awarded to Nadroga for some lack of discipline from Nadi – Volavola was later shown the yellow card something similar by Fiji’s top referee Tevita Rokovereni who had full control of the electrifying match that was riddled with yellow cards and missed opportunities.
Nadi came back in the fifty-first minute slotting a three pointer in the between the sticks from the boot of fullback Rafaele Tunidau, and a sensational try that was planted later in the sixty-fifth minute by Ilisoni Galala which was converted by Tunidau.
Nadi got their revenge after losing the Farebrother to Nadroga in 2022 when the final whistle went today, winning the game 22-20 and lifting the prestigious provincial trophy at the Stallions home ground after 40 years.