DISCIPLINE will be a crucial factor in the final between Sabeto Roosters and Makoi Bulldogs today.
The captains of both teams admitted their respective sides needed to minimise the number of penalties they concede in their clash at 3pm at Buckhurst Park.
The Roosters were the first to qualify for the final after their 30-20 win over Police Sharks in the semi-final at Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka last weekend.
Captain Apisai Nabou said two of his players were sin-binned in the second half of that clash.
He said that allowed the Sharks to draw the match and force it into extra time.
"That (discipline) was one issue that nearly cost us the semi-final," the 27-year-old said.
"So definitely, we will have to remain disciplined in the match for the whole 80 minutes," he said.
He said his team had been gearing up for the final with mental and physical training and the issue of discipline was one that required a lot of work.
"Our coach Vela Tawake always talks to us and tell us the importance of discipline when we playing.
"He said for us to minimise the number of penalties we give to our opponents because every penalty we give is a chance for them to score points.
"Also if a player gets sin-binned, we are short in numbers and both our defence and attack is limited," the former Fiji Bati said.
Semi Cakau, captain of the Bulldogs echoed similar sentiments. One player in his team was also sin-binned in the Bulldogs 26-16 win over defending champions Nadera Panthers in semi-finals.
He said having less players on the field meant more pressure on the other players.
"We want to have 13 players on the field for the whole 80 minutes," Cakau said.
"We cannot afford to lose any players to the sin bin because it is the final and every player on the field is necessary in the game," he said.
The former Fiji Bati and his team had a team bonding exercise yesterday in which they went on a cruise of Suva harbour in the Uto ni Yalo.
"The idea for this team bonding was by Setareki Ledua; he is one of our former players and is now a crew member of the Uto ni Yalo.
"It's good to have a team bonding exercise before the main game tomorrow (today) because we have had a hectic season and needed some time off from physical training," he said.