TAILEVU coach Lance Whippy believes the lack of urgency from his players to shut Nadroga out was one of their downfalls in 26-43 loss during the Farebrother Sullivan trophy challenge yesterday.
Whippy said they gave Nadroga too much space to run the ball.
He said one of the positives for his side was that they stuck for the whole 80 minutes.
"I guess we did not improve on certain areas that we had looked at," Whippy said.
"We lacked the urgency to get up there and front up to them on the face to shut them down. Nadroga was given too much space and that is where we failed."
"Overall I thank the boys for playing the way they played. We played the full 80 minute game."
"It was very good contest. We lost and we take it with a pinch of salt as they say. Congratulations to Nadroga.
"Where we were last year and where we are now Tailevu has matured. The new year will see how we handle that maturity to move forward."
Tailevu fly half Sunia Bainivalu scored a personal tally of 21 points in the match.
Referee Misiale Petero awarded Nadroga a penalty try. The other tries were scored by Aisea Natoga, Etonia Naba, Apisolome Waqatabu, Setefano Somoca and Ratu Seru Cakobau. Jonetani Ralulu kicked three conversions and a penalty. Ratunaisa Vatuinairuku kicked the two other conversions. Tailevu's fly half Sunia Bainivalu scored a try, kicked four penalties and two conversions. Sevuloni Lutu scored the other try for Tailevu.