BUA’s do-or-die display against Nasinu in the FRU 2nd division competition on the weekend is a great example of good sportsmanship and encourages good citizenship.
Those are the words of Commissioner Eastern Luke Moroivalu after Bua booked their first win of the season against the travelling Nasinu side at Nabouwalu, Bua, on Saturday afternoon.
Moroivalu who is actually from Cakaudrove province in Vanua Levu said Bua’s 17-15 win was a good outcome for rugby union in general.
“I’m here (in Vanua Levu) for some official engagement, but as I arrived I was invited by government officials to support them.
“So it was a great opportunity to support rugby and also to support the youth like talking to the team after the game.
“This is one area that the Government is trying to promote and assist in developing the youths of today so that they can be good sportsmen and be good citizens of this country.”
The win, in front of a very vocal crowd, puts them in a good mental state for their upcoming match against the unbeaten Ovalau side.
Their quietly spoken coach, Niko Ratukove, elated with the performance slipped away quickly after the match to help with other official matters at the grounds.
Bua scored two converted tries, the first resulting from a charge down and the second, from a chip and chase that also ended under the posts.
The replacement fly-half Suliasi Kurulo, with about six minutes to go sealed the victory from a penalty kick from close range.
Bua captain and inside centre Tomasi Bukai, who was yellow carded for an accidental high tackle in the first quarter returned and led by example in attack and defence to keep the bigger and heavier Nasinu players at bay.
In his absence, Nasinu camped inside’s Bua 22-metre line but still failed to capitalise, coming away with a penalty that went wide off the mark.
It was a performance that had Nasinu coach, Seremaia Bai, a former Flying Fijians captain scratching his head.
“They (Nasinu) did their best but nothing went as planned. The boys did not withstand the pressure and the atmosphere. I knew it was going to be tough coming here and playing against a vanua-based team like Bua. They dismantled everything we planned,” Bai said.
“We were at the attacking zone earlier in the match, but I’ve always told the players that it does not matter if you create the opportunities. It looks good and looks cool but if you don’t convert them into points then it’s a waste,” Bai said.
In an earlier match, the Bua under-19 side came back from behind, 5-20, to win 26-25, while Nasinu women overcame their Bua counterpart 63-22.
