Digicel Nadroga weathered the storm in the first half an hour and then ripped Digicel Lautoka apart with a brilliant running display to qualify for the final of the Digicel Cup on Saturday.
The defending champions came from a 5-0 deficit to hammer the Maroons 45-18 in the second semi-final at Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka.
The Stallions awed the 7000 fans with their running brand of rugby, totally mesmerising the visitors who had beaten them 25-22 in round nine of the competition.
Nadroga was a changed team from the round robin stages as they outclassed Lautoka six tries to two.
Lautoka shocked the hosts with veteran Viliame Satala stealing a try in the 12th minute from a quick lineout. But the Maroons failed to build on the momentum despite camping in Nadroga’s territory for the next 20 minutes.
In that span of time the Maroons missed two drop goals and a penalty which could have stretched their advantage.
Nadroga hit back in the 32nd minute after a lineout with Sakiusa Navaka diving over near the post.
The try, converted by Mitieli Nacagilevu, sparked the Stallions into action and they never looked back. A try by Joeli Lutumailagi pushed Nadroga ahead 14-8 at halftime.
In the second spell, the Stallions hit immediately from the restart with Etonia Naba scoring the third try.
Nadroga’s other tries came from hardworking Rupeni Nasiga, Mosese Volavola and replacement Seru Cakobau.
Nacagilevu kept a perfect record with his boots converting all the tries and also kicked a penalty.
Anthony Wise scored a try for Lautoka in the second spell while Rawaqa kicked the conversion and Dakuvula a penalty.
Nadroga team manager Paula Biu lauded the efforts of his players saying they performed above expectations.
Biu, a former Fiji and Nadroga rep, said the Stallions were hard to stop after taking the lead.
“Nadroga is regarded as the champion rugby team in Fiji and when it comes to the crucial stage you see a different Nadroga team,” Biu said.
“This team changed from the round robin stage. So it wasn’t a surprise to us to win by a big margin. The boys were into it.”
Nadroga will face Naitasiri in the final Saturday.
