Fijians muscle-in for Gladstone

Their Fijian connection seems certain to have a big say in the fortunes of the Gladstone team in this season's Wairarapa-Bush premier division competition.
Former Fiji and United States international Joseva Naivalu was a regular try scorer for Gladstone when he wore their colours for the first time in 2010 and he has now been joined by two of his countrymen, Michael Vuicakau and Inia Katia.
All three got themselves on to the scoreboard when Gladstone travelled to Pongaroa last Saturday and comfortably despatched Puketoi by 56-0.
Vuicikau provided 29 of their points with three tries, four penalties and a conversion. Naivalu ran in two tries and Katia touched down once.
The versatility of the trio will be a boon for Gladstone. Vuicikau was at first-five last weekend but can also play fullback, Naivalu's preferred position is wing but he can slot in at centre or fullback if required while Tatia was on the wing at Pongaroa but is also capable of playing at halfback.
Gladstone coach Steve Thompson was understandably impressed by the impact made by the Fijian trio against Puketoi but he was quick to emphasise they had bigger tests to come.
"They're all very nippy and have a lot of flair but it's early days yet. Teams will get wise to them as we go along and it will be interesting to see how they react to that sort of pressure," he said.
Gladstone have the bye for the second round of premier division play this Saturday, a round which will see Featherston return to the top level after a break of several seasons and Eketahuna play their home game against Masterton Red Star at Mangatainoka.
The draw is:
Premier division: Marist v Puketoi, Memorial Park at 2.30pm (D. Goodin; B. Whale and K. Lochhead); Eketahuna v Masterton Red Star, Mangatainoka at 2.30pm (C. Jefferies; P. Weeks and P. Thompson); Greytown v Pioneer, Greytown at 2.30pm (S. O'Gorman; G. Reisima and J. Devine); Martinborough v Carterton, Martinborough at 2.30pm (A. Stringer; G. Moorcock and home team); Featherston v East Coast, Featherston at 2.30pm (T. Roseingrave); Gladstone a bye.
Senior reserves: Marist v Tuhirangi, Memorial Park at 1pm (T. Porter); Eketahuna v Masterton Red Star, Mangatainoka at 1pm (P. Weeks); Greytown v Pioneer, Greytown at 1pm (G. Reisima); Gladstone v East Coast, Gladstone at 1pm (G. Hall); Martinborough v Carterton, Martinborough at 1pm (G. Moorcock).
Colts: Eketahuna v WB Barbarians, Eketahuna at 1pm (A. Payne).