If you are a hard die Naitasiri fan, you probably would know that the INKK Farebrother-Sullivan Trophy challenge against Lautoka tomorrow will be the game to watch.

This was the message from Naitasiri Rugby Union president Ratu Peceli Rinakama during his interview with SUNsports yesterday.

“Naitasiri will be the underdogs on Saturday,” the no-nonsense administrator said.

“Right now, the coaches are finding it hard to select the best 23 players as they all want to play.”

Naitasiri has the services of Swire Shipping Fijian Drua and Fiji Under-20 captain Motikiai Murray, who is hoping to make the final cut.

Naitasiri won the Farebrother Trophy for the first time in July 1998 when they beat Nadroga 25-18 at Lawaqa Park, Sigatoka.

After six winless years, Ratu Peceli believes it is time for the Farebrother Trophy to travel up to the highlands.

“The Lautoka team is not a new team.

“In 1995, due to the big brawl in Suva, the Naitasiri rugby team was banned for two years.

“The Lautoka Rugby Union was the only ones that supported our bid to get re-affiliated with the Fiji Rugby Union,” Ratu Peceli recalled.

He added that the Naitasiri rugby team always had respect for Lautoka as majority of Lautoka players were from Naitasiri.

“Players like Sunia Seru, Adriu Rinakama, Tokoni Luvu to name a few, played for Lautoka in those days.

“In 1998, the new Naitasiri Rugby Union was formed and this Saturday, we want to engrave our name in 2024,” he said.

Ratu Peceli added that the players are well prepared for the match.

When asked about what it means to the vanua of Naitasiri, he said: “There will be buses going down on Saturday. We urge everyone from the West to turn up in numbers and support the team. 

“This will be the most exciting game in 2024. It will be a show stopper! We will not leave the West without the trophy,” he said.

The match kicks-off at 3pm.

Feedback: josua.buredua@fijisun.com.fj