Last year's promotion relegation defeat by Rewa was a blessing in disguise for Vatukoula coach Epeli Nakautoga and his players, who are preparing for the new season with a hunger to improve and retain their major provincial status.

Nakautoga led the team from the goldmines of Vatukoula to their second Southern Rally win today in Day 2 of competition when they defeated Colo North with a convincing 23-5 scoreline.

The Vatukoula coach says to return to major provincial status this season would represent another wonderful achievement he has set himself and his squad to attain.

"I have many players frustrated with the relegation last year," Nakautoga told the Fiji Rugby website. "I did not enjoy losing last year."

“The goal we have set for ourselves this year is to return to major status. Everything that we have done leading up to this tournament has been aimed largely to return Vatukoula to the major Unions’ fold.

Whilst eager to return to major status, Nakautoga remains wary of other teams in the competition as well as the Northern Rally who are also eager to claim the glory this year.

“So we are not underestimating any team. We know all teams have come in prepared and likewise for those in the Northern Rally and looking to score themselves a spot in the major competition. Like them, we are also out to win but we are taking each game as it comes.

“Right now, the goal is to identify and rectify mistakes sighted from today’s game as we prepare for Malolo in our next game.”

Vatukoula will take on Malolo at 3.00pm in the last pool game of the Southern Rally on Friday 22 August. In other games scheduled on the day, Yasawa takes on Serua at 9.00am, Colo North takes on Nakasaleka at 11.00am and Ra will take on Ba at 1.00pm.



Wednesday 20 August 2008
Vatukoula 23 Colo North 5
Southern Rally 2008 – Day 2
Churchill Park, Lautoka
Half-time: 17-0
Referee: Seru Lawakeli
Att: 500

VATUKOULA: 15 Semesa Lutu (Josateki Guivalu 63), 14 Suliasi Coanilawa (Solo N 61), 13 Romeo Kini (Sakiusa R 52), 12 Josateki Manu, 11 Sanivalati Kenatale, 10 Emori Ratu, 9 Sairusi V, 8 Sainivalati Vunibola (Waisea Turaga 68), 7 Seru Tabua, 6 Saimone Nadore, 5 Manueli Naba, 4 Sikeli Muavou (Vilimoni R 64), 3 Wame Lawalawarua (Joseva Temo 76), 2 Joji Nikola (Adriu Naceva 77), 1 Jone Volau
Tries: Ratu, Vunibola; Conversions: Kenatale (2); Penalty goals: Kenatale (3)


COLO NORTH: 15 Sakiusa Onibure (Josaia Nabenia), 14 E Miramira, 13 Sairusi Kurisese (Deve Toganivalu), 12 Amani Doko, 11 Seveci Naimasi, 10 Sireli Tuiviti, 9 Netani Vauvau, 8 Semesa Ketewai,  7 Senirusi Keteiwai, 6 Maika Rokoleba (Noa Nauluwai), 5 Apenisa Nagata (Meli L), 4 Tawase Delasau, 3 Onisimo Moli, 2 Sireli Delasau, 1 Senirusi Keteiwai (capt)
Not used: Semesa N, Josefa Lomani, Jale Nabenia
Try: Onibure

Scoring Sequence (Vatukoula’s scores shown first):
5min – TRY VATUKOULA, Ratu, conversion Kenatale – 7-0
15min – PEN GOAL, Kenatale – 10-0
37min – TRY VATUKOULA, Vunibola, conversion Kenatale – 17-0
Half-time
51min – TRY COLO NORTH, Onibure, conversion missed – 17-5
61min – PEN GOAL VATUKOULA, Kenatale – 20-5
66min – PEN GOAL VATUKOULA, Kenatale – 23-5
Full-time

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Wednesday 20 August 2008
Ra 13 Yasawa 20
Southern Rally 2008 – Day 2
Churchill Park, Lautoka
Half-time: 3-8
Referee: Venieli Naduvaco
Att: 500

RA: 15 Poasa Rareba (Marika Rasuaki 58), 14 Mosese Saunivanua (Rusiate T  76), 13 Nacanieli Ligairi, 12 Sake Marina (Josefa 72), 11 Mataiasi Ramuria, 10 Asaeli Toakula, 9 Isoa Vuli, 8 Kini Namoumou, 7 Filipe Koroikai (capt) (Ilai Nameke 79), 6 Eremasi Vuli (Isei Navutovuto 61), 5 Rupeni Wara, 4 Loga Tunibuna (Kolinio Koro 58), 3 Naiyawa Gonetuka, 2 Vatemosi Carua,  1 Laisiasa Valesu (Semi Koroi 48)
Tries: Vuli, Ramuria; Penalty goal: Ligairi

YASAWA: 15 Aporosa T, 14 Mosese Kania, 13 Malakai Vasuinuku, 12 Naelesoni Toqitoqi, 11 Timoci Kawa, 10 Aminisitai Kunajuke,  Kelevi Nabanivalu, 8 Ponipate Nayagodamu (capt), 7 Tikiko Namala, 6 Apakuki Wainisavu, 5 Manasa Ravuisalu, 4 Taione Ratu, 3 Sikeli Nasau, 2 Manasa Tuidamu, 1 Eparama Cakaunitavatava
Reserves: Inosi Ravunu, Samu Ramagimagi, Peni Tuiteci, Anare Soga, Pauliasi Tubuna, Apenisa Sabui, Akuila Rokobaro
Tries: Aporosa T, Kunajuke, Kania; Conversion: Kunajuke; Penalty goal: Kunajuke


Scoring Sequence (Ra’s scores shown first):
22min – PEN GOAL YASAWA, Kunajuke – 0-3
25min – TRY YASAWA, Aporosa T, conversion missed – 0-8
31min – PEN GOAL RA, Ligairi – 3-8
Half-time
44min – TRY RA, Vuli, conversion missed – 8-8
50min – TRY YASAWA, Kunajuke, conversion Kunajuke – 8-15
55min – TRY YASAWA, Kania, conversion missed – 8-20
75min – TRY RA, Ramuria, conversion missed – 13-20
Full-time

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Wednesday 20 August 2008
Ba 23 Serua 10
Southern Rally 2008 – Day 2
Churchill Park, Lautoka
Half-time: 6-5
Referee: Heneriko
Att: 500

BA: 15 Tevita Turuva (Apisalome NArivo 54), 14 Penaia Cokomata, 13 Kemueli Naibuli (Pio Kautoga 74), 12 Elia Nasa, 11 Pita Natoga, 10 Mikaele Dreu, 9 Tui Naliva (Maloni Saravu 65), 8 Senivuloni Mataniwai,  7 Pio Tuwai (capt) (Apisai Toba 66), 6 Joseva Uluivuda, 5 Jone Sito, 4 Sitiveni Kurivitu (Eminoni Nabaro 64), 3 Ropate Nagosa, 2 Sowani Cava, 1 Apenisa Tukua (Eroni Naigada 67)
Not used: Manueli Waqa
Tries: Sito, Natoga, Uluivuda; Conversion: Natoga; Penalty goals: Natoga (2)

SERUA: 15 Manueli Pita (Ropate Labalaba 47), 14 Wame Waqavanua (Lasaro Cagica 62), 13 Sitiveni Natoatagane, 12 Aminio Buto, 11 Sainivalati Camaitoga (Simeli Kuruisova 54), 10 Kameli Tabaiwalu, 9 Semesa Masi (Wame Savou 41), 8 Suliano Lorima (Sevuloni Tuikubulau 74), 7 Epeli Rabalotu, 6 Eroni Namata (Sairusi Bose 58), 5 Iosefo Rasese, 4 Viliame Bale, 3 Aporosa D, 2 Waisale Baravi, 1 Eremasi Batibasaga (S Baleinaivalu 58)
Tries: Baravi, Natoatagane

Scoring Sequence (Ba’s scores shown first):
16min – PEN GOAL BA, Natoga – 3-0
20min – PEN GOAL BA, Natoga, – 6-0
22min – TRY SERUA, BAravi, conversion missed – 6-5
Half-time
43min – TRY BA, Sito, conversion missed – 11-5
53min – TRY BA, Natoga, conversion Natoga – 18-5
71min – TRY BA, Uluivuda, conversion missed – 23-5
78min – TRY SERUA, Natoatagane, conversion missed – 23-10
Full-time

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Wednesday 20 August 2008
Malolo 12 Nakasaleka 18
Southern Rally 2008 – Day 2
Churchill Park, Lautoka
Half-time: 7-10
Referee: Napolioni Locoloco

MALOLO: 15 Keni Cagilaba (Tevita Sadrata), 14 Akapusi Toge, 13 Iliesa Ravouvou, 12 Josua Vuluma (Kanito Roko), 11 Sailasa Raivakadua, 10 Napolioni Tavukilevu, 9 Alifereti Nauga (capt) (Simeli Gonewai), 8 Sanaila Kuruisalili, 7 Joseva Natuituba, 6 Apakuki Lalabalavu (Paula Nadule), 5 Ilaisa Baleiloma (Joseva Sadrata), 4 Joeli Masi, 3 Esala Vucago (Akuila Koroi), 2 Sikeli Daveta (Penietati Nasovasova), 1 Maikeli Nasila
Try: Kuruisalili, Raivakadua; Conversion: Tavukilevu

NAKASALEKA: 15 Navitalai Marau (Vereimi Waqa), 14 Paula Vakaruku (Jovilisi Yaya), 13 Emosi Vajelo, 12 Manoa Masi, 11 Usaia Koroi (Vereti Vuruya), 10 Aminio Vulakauvaki, 9 Josaia Tokoni, 8 Anare Maravu, 7 Rusiate Vatubuli (Saula Tawake), 6 Vilikesa Vulakauvaki, 5 Asesela Vulakauvaki (capt), 4 Semi Toutou (Josevata Vimati), 3 Mosese Sigabalavu (Wame Belolevu), 2 Eroni Utovou (Joeli Matanisiga), 1 Paula Kaitani
Tries: Vakaruku, Vatubuli, Yaya; Penalty goal:  A Vulakauvaki

Scoring Sequence (Malolo’s scores shown first):
18min – TRY NAKASALEKA, Vakaruku, conversion missed – 0-5
20min – TRY MALOLO, Kuruisalili, conversion Tavukilevu – 7-5
38min – TRY NAKASALEKA, Vatubuli, conversion missed – 7-10
Half-time
53min – TRY MALOLO, Ravakadua, conversion Tavukilevu (missed) – 12-10
61min – PEN GOAL NAKASALEKA, A Vulakauvaki – 12-13
75min – TRY NAKASALEKA, Yaya, conversion missed – 12-18
Full-time

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