Finally, after nine years of pain, Govind Park in Ba opens again.
Today, Ba Rugby welcomes Suva for the opening match of the 2025 Skipper Cup in a repeat of last season’s quarterfinal at Albert Park which saw underdogs Vinod Patel Ba push the perennial powerhouses all the way to the final whistle.
The force of Tropical Cyclone Winston in 2016 destroyed the old grandstand here. And after impressive investment from successive governments and relentless diligence from Moshim Khan and his team at Ba Town Council, this wonderful facility can now host rugby and football matches once more.
The Fiji Pine Ba U20s kick off proceedings at 1pm before the main event at 3pm when Vinod Patel Ba take on the might of Suva.
“We really need the supporters to come out and cheer on the boys,” BRU Secretary Gaby Kautoga said. “To have a chance, our players will need to be at their very best, and strong vocal support from the fans can make all the difference.”
Kautoga admitted that last year’s quarter-final defeat was a tough pill to swallow.
“We thought we had done enough to win that game. We had three good tries chalked off which was very frustrating.”
“Our backs can play at a very fast pace, so the officials need to be on their toes to keep up with play.”
Ba know that the name Suva has been synonymous with Skipper Cup success. They featured in FRU’s first provincial championship in 1963 and have been a feature ever since.
“It’s a tall order for our young team,” Talatala Gaby admitted. “We know that Suva’s club season began way back in March and they go into the match as firm favourites.”
“We just want our boys to play to 100% of their ability and leave nothing out there on the field. We will have to compete for every tackle, every ruck, maul, line-out and scrum.”
“We can’t ask any more than that from our players.”
Head Coach Ben Tora has demonstrated that discipline is the way forward. Some key players of last year have not made the squad because they haven’t been training regularly.
“We have to treat all players equally,” coach Tora said. “Every player has to be committed 100% to training and be totally focused on what we are trying to achieve.”
“Ba is a new team in terms of time as a major union, so we have to work extra hard to be able to stand up to the big unions.”
“We have been monitoring the boys throughout the Vinod Patel Cup and the Ba Industries Cup, and had several warm-up games before we decided on the overall squad. Several key players are out with injuries, so we’ve picked others as injury/discipline cover.”
The Vinod Patel Ba line-up today is skippered by Sorokoba lock Waisea Senimoli, with Toge fly-half Willy Ryland his vice captain.
Gates open today at 12 noon, with Grandstand tickets at $10 and $15 plus a limited number of Grounds tickets at $7. Tickets for children between 5 and 11 are $2 and $3.
Vinod Patel Ba to play Suva at Govind Park. Kick-off 3pm.
1. Mikaele Saurara (Natalecake), 2. Peniasi Sokia (Yakete), 3. Paula Rokotuiloma (Nailaga), 4. Ponipate Kato (Nanoko), 5. Waisea Senimoli (Sorokoba), 6. Ratu Peni Dekedeke (Natalecake), 7. Ponipate Bacaivalu (Nailaga), 8. Paula Raluku (Vatutavui), 9. Willy Ryland (Toge), 10. Meli Nalulu (Sasa), 11. Solomone Druku (Nailaga), 12. Valami Kunavue (Natalecake), 13. Meli Tuvusa (Natalecake), 14. Bill Scott (Natalecake), 15. Amasa Natuiyaga (Vadravadra), 16. Saimone Ratumaiyale (Vadravadra), 17. Allen Osbourne (Vadravadra), 18. Waisea Navakabau (Nailaga), 19. Saimoni Tagitagivalu (Nailaga), 20. Jovesa Sasoni (Tabalei), 21. Beniamino Dakai (Nailaga), 22. Epineri Goneva (Tabalei)
23. Damasino Levi (Navala)
Head Coach: Ben Tora, Backs Coach: Vilimoni Delasau, Forwards Coach : Iona Lewatiakana, Manager : John Sadole
Fiji Pine Ba U20s to play Suva at Govind Park. Kick-off 1pm.
1. Simione Raisokula (Rarawai FSC), 2. Savenaca Naiqovu (Fiji Pine Lololo), 3. Semi Rokoua (Toge), 4. Arimela Noa (Toge), 5. Manoa Turagakeli (Rarwai FSC), 6. Aminio Sereuinoka (capt) (Rarawai FSC), 7. Jesupi Qaqa (Sorokoba), 8. Ratu Marika Latianara (Sorokoba), 9. Saimone Kase (Natalecake), 10. Savenaca Tuikilakila (Lomavata), 11. Viliame Gaunavinaka (Sorokoba), 12. Jaweli Rokowaqa (v/capt) (Sorokoba), 13. Jolami Tuwai (Sorokoba), 14. Gervase Rauga (Rarawai FSC), 15. Jovesa Nokelevu (Vatutavui), 16. Ilisoni Koro (Duiyasana), 17. Mosese Tomailagi (Toge), 18. Paul Cokanauto (Tabalei), 19. Ratu Marika Doughty (Nailaga), 20. Keleto Qoro (Navala), 21. Isikeli Ratulevu (Ba River), 22. Sakeasi Koula (Rarawai FSC), 23. Isimeli Tuvusa (Natalecake)
Head Coach: Josua Tuwai, Backs Coach: Pena Cokomata, Forwards Coach : Tomasi Naraukawa, Manager : Pita Matakitoga
Vinod Patel Ba prop Allen Osbourne in the thick of the action in the warm-up v Northland. Picture: BA RUGBY
