FORMER Fiji age group halfback Aporosa Kenatale and policeman Apenisa Naisilasila will have huge task on their shoulders filling in the huge boots of Scotland-bound Flying Fijian scrum-half Nikola Matawalu in their Digicel Cup semi-final duel with Nadroga on Saturday.
Matawalu will soon be flying out of the country to join his new club Glassgow Warriors. His speed off the mark and vision to spot gaps beside the rucks will be missed by the capital side. However, coach Salimoni Ravouvou has faith on his other scrumhalfs who have the potential to play at top level.
"Yes, we will surely miss Nikola, he is a very experienced player and the things which he used to do in the team will be something we will miss on Saturday. But we wish him all the best, we just have to use those other players in the squad," he said.
"We got Apenisa (Naisilasila) and Aporosa (Kenatale) who have potential to wear the number nine jersey on Saturday."
Nadroga edged Suva in the final last year to win the competition. Ravouvou said they needed to deny Nadroga possession.
"We all know that Nadroga is a champion team. They have been playing together for years and they got that combination. So the thing that we need to do is to deny them possession because they are very dangerous with ball in hand," he said. Suva will rely on its seasoned players like James Brown, Manasa Saulo, Leone Tabuarua, Napolioni Naulia, Samu Bola and inspirational skipper Ilitomasi Nawalu to spearhead their campaign.
The game kicks off at 3.30pm at Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka.