Lautoka’s head coach Peniona Ranitu told SUNsports yesterday that his team will be looking at improving their lineouts and breakdowns against the tough Suva side in this Saturday’s Farebrother challenge.

“We need to be more aggressive and win a lot of possession especially playing against a highly skilful side like Suva,” Ranitu said.

“We also need to control the game early against Suva.”

Ranitu is hopeful that Fijian Drua player and Maroons playmaker Isikeli Rabitu will be available for the second challenge.

“He’s (Rabitu) been playing well, and we are hoping for him to get a starting lineup spot for the Fijian Drua,” he said.

“I hope that Drua can identify his splendid performance against Nadi last week if not then he’s going to help the young players in the second challenge.”

Ranitu said they will need to organise themselves against the big Suva forward pack.

“They (Suva) are good at driving mauls, and we need to counter that,” he said.

“We last defeated Suva in a Skipper Cup match at Churchill Park back in 2020.”

Ranitu said the support of the players’ families will be the motivation for them to defeat Suva.

“Most of these players are from the villages of Viseisei, Namoli and Vitogo,” he said.

“There is a huge amount of pressure in defending the Farebrother trophy, but we’ll leave everything with God to help us through.”

According to Ranitu the players are optimistic and gearing up for the match against Suva.

“I often told the players to have their foot on the ground and the motto for the team is to stay low and aim high,” he said.

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