GRAFTON may have produced a 41-21 landslide victory over the Casino Bulls in their first trial game of the season, but it was the introduction of several new players which impressed the coaching staff and Redmen supporters.
Grafton scored some scintillating tries, some from long-range and one gem five-pointer from the kick-off which had the die-hard Redmen fans on their feet.
Apart from glimpses of magnificent free-flowing rugby, Grafton looked to have unearthed a couple of genuine quality players and a man-mountain prop who has all the characteristics of a cult hero with his damaging running style and bone crunching defence.
Lolesio Lavea Sio quickly became a crowd favourite when he took the field in the second half and for the opposition defence it was like watching players trying to tackle a snooker table.
Breakaway Ratu Esala Nakuruilagi was arguably Grafton’s best on the day and looked like a class player with silky skills while fleet-footed winger Nacanieli Soli Vukavou was dangerous every time he touched the ball.
At times the game descended into a stop-start-affair characterised by unforced errors and scrums which seemed to take an eternity to pack.
Grafton can take plenty of positives out of yesterday’s game heading into their next trial against Lismore City on March 16 in Lismore.
