Pte Ratu ‘Siva’ Naulago (Yorks) capped his comeback from injury with a try to help Bristol overwhelm the Scarlets in their Champions Cup clash on Saturday.
The winger looked like he had never been away, tracking Steven Luatua’s break with an intelligent running line before hitting the afterburners at just the right moment to take the offload and give himself enough momentum to carry him over the whitewash.
This was one of five tries scored in the last 17 minutes by the Bears at Parc y Scarlets, and the 52-21 win secured Bristol a home-and-away domestic clash with Sale Sharks when the Champions Cup resumes for the round of 16 in April.
Director of Rugby Pat Lam paid tribute to the impact shown by Pte Naulago – who came on with half-an-hour remaining – and the other replacements.
“The last 23 minutes was enjoyable for the players,” he commented. “We know when our team is strong when the bench is strong. You saw the difference when they came on.
“Siva has kept his head down and working. It can be a lonely place when you’re injured but mentally he kept pushing. And then he came in and enjoyed himself out there.”
Elsewhere there were two tries for LCpl John Davetanivalu (Royal Signals) in Wakefield Trinity Wildcats’ pre-season match with Oldham, and Capt Gemma Rowland’s (RA) level of enjoyment from a weekend’s training with Wales Women was clear with her Sunday evening tweet, the experienced back writing: ‘Loved EVERY minute. Amazing energy all weekend, buzzing after two AWESOME training days.’
Words © New Dogs, Old Tricks, Header and Featured Image © Army Rugby Union – Andrew Fosker
