Namosi Rugby Season begins

Monday, 8 March 2021

The Namosi Rugby Union of which the Wardens Club is an affiliate will on March 12-13 will host another 10s rugby tournament up at the Navunikabi Village grounds.

This is following a successful season opener at Thompson Park, Navua on February 26 which attracted 11 clubs from the Namosi Coastal area.

The first tournament was worn by the Wardens Two outfit who defeated Wardens One 5-0 during sudden death.

Namosi rugby coach and former national rep Asaeli Boko said the second round of the tournament was to give a chance for the Namosi highlanders who could not make the trip down to Thompson Park in the first tournament.

“The first tournament was very exciting and action packed with new talents discovered, so next week we are looking forward to what the villages from the highlands have to offer for the new season,’’ Coach Boko said.

“Last year Namosi had a very good season, reaching the semi-finals of the Skipper Park and defending the Farebrother Trophy five times. This time we would like to identify new talents and also strengthen our Club competition.”

Meanwhile, Wardens two team captain Samuela Netzler led by example to score the winning try during as they defeated Wardens One team 5-0 at the Namosi Rugby Union 10s tournament at Thompson Park on last Saturday

Netzler playing on the wing, touched down in the far corner outrunning the defense in a 40 meter dash to the try line, 3 minutes into the sudden death period.

The game which featured many of the reps from the champion Namosi team in 2020, was closely fought with strength and speed on par over very wet conditions.

The tournament marked the opening to the season for Namosi Rugby Union as it prepares for the 2021 Skipper Cup and Farebrother Competition.

The one-day tournament brought out 11-teams to fight for the $750 top prize money.

Chairman of the Namosi Rugby Union Tui Saladoka said the tournament was a great success because it revealed the new talents that the Union would work with this year.

“We have another 10s tournament scheduled for March 12-13 but up in the village of Navunikabi in the highlands and we hope to see all village teams participate.”