Shropshire Star

Fijian flyer Navka all set for Newport debut

High-flying Newport are ready to unleash Fijian winger Meli Navka on their “nemesis” Nuneaton tomorrow.

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Navka, a relation of Bath ace Semesa Rokoduguni, will be handed a debut when second-placed Newport head to Warwickshire aiming to make it five wins from five in the Midlands Premier.

The hosts sit 10th in the table but will be in confident mood, having twice beaten the visitors last term.

Newport director of rugby Bob Adams said: “Nuneaton were our nemesis last season, beating us twice by a score or less.

“They had clearly done their homework and we’ve been working on things in training this week to try and ensure there is no repeat.”

Navka, who trained with Newport prior to last season, will go straight into the team after arriving in the UK last weekend.

“His uncle is in the army at Donnington and he spent pre-season with us last year, before going home for family reasons,” said Adams.

“We’ve stayed in touch and he contacted us a few weeks ago to say he would be coming over. We are delighted to have him.”

Despite boasting the division’s biggest points haul, having racked up 188 in their opening four games, Adams believes there is still significant room for improvement in attack.

“We still don’t feel we have reached the standards we require,” he said. “I’d say we are probably 25 per cent away from those levels.

“The pleasing thing, over the last two games in particular, has been the performance of our defence.

“We pride ourselves on that. I’m a firm believer in needing a strong defence if you want to challenge and be up there near the end of the season. The next few weeks is an important time for us.”

Bridgnorth boss Bryan Smallman has urged his team to maintain their standards when they host Burton.

Smallman’s men sit third in the table, six points behind Newport, thanks to steadily improving performances which have seen them win three on the bounce, including last weekend’s 22-19 victory at Broadstreet.

He said: “The win at Broadstreet was our best showing to date but the important thing now is not to rest on our laurels.

“Burton have had a disappointing start to the season by their own standards and will be desperate to find some momentum from somewhere. We cannot underestimate them.

“If we perform to the levels we have shown so far, then we are capable of beating anyone.”