UNDERDOGS is what the Vatukoula Rugby Union have labelled themselves, as they prepare to take part in the Skipper Cup competition, which starts next month.
The label, given by the union’s legal adviser Talei Tuitoga, could describe the team’s ascension into the competition, after they won the Vanua Challenge last year.
Tuitoga described the team as that when asked how the team regarded the other unions participating in the major tournament.
“I know that all the teams are well prepared for the 2025 Skipper (Cup) competition, likewise for Vatukoula, we’re coming in as the underdogs this year and we hope to make waves in Skipper this year,” Tuitoga explained.
“I know it’s a different level of competition, but the boys have been preparing well to meet Skipper level demands from the fans and the rugby spectators as a whole.”
With the team’s rise into the main competition, she added the mood amongst fans and supporters in Vatukoula indicated their overall support.
“Now that we are back in the Skipper Cup, the excitement from the fans and also the supporters and the players, it’s been on a high right now,” she said.
“The atmosphere is different now. Obviously, from last year, we won the Vanua Challenge and towards the end of the year when we won the Vanua Challenge, the supporters spirits were high and we are starting on that high note this year, at the beginning of this year for the Skipper Cup.”
As they prepare to venture into the competition as underdogs, she explained how the team’s preparations had been progressing.
“In terms of preparation, the boys have been preparing for awhile now. At the beginning of the year, we’ve come together knowing we’re going to be in Skipper.
“They’ve been preparing, playing for club games over the past several weeks and the management, we’re trying to align ourselves to what the Fiji Rugby (Union) have been requesting of us to do as a union.”
Vatukoula ascended into the main Skipper Cup competition after they defeated Bua 16-13 in the Vanua Challenge semi-finals on Saturday, April 27, 2024.
Meanwhile, the first round of the Skipper Cup starts on Saturday, August 2 which will also include the first Farebrother challenge of 2025.
