Viliame and Apolosi Satala assist Lautoka rugby players affected by COVID-19

Former Fiji 7s reps Viliame Satala and Apolosi Satala who are from Namoli, have been providing assistance to the current Lautoka players who have been let go from their jobs due to COVID-19.

Lautoka Rugby Union Administrator Joseph Sikuri says most of their players were working in the tourism sector and they are now unemployed as there are no tourists coming into the country.

Sikuri says Lautoka Rugby has been working with their former players including the Satala brothers in providing food rations to these players during the lockdown period.

They are in discussion with their former players on other ways they can provide assistance.

He adds that most of the players are sole breadwinners of their families and the only support they are providing is $100 payment a week for players’ participation in the Skipper Cup Competition and it goes up to $200 if they get a bonus point.

Sikuri says one thing they will need to improve on this week against Namosi is to get away from the mentality of playing catch-up rugby.

Lautoka will take on Namosi in the Farebrother Sullivan Trophy Challenge and Skipper Cup Competition match at 3 pm Saturday at the ANZ Stadium.

In other Skipper Cup matches this week, Suva will face Naitasiri at the ANZ Stadium at 6 pm Friday, Nadi will face Nadroga at Prince Charles Park on Friday at 5.30 pm while Tailevu will take on Yasawa at 3 pm Saturday at Ratu Cakobau Park.