Rugby fans can expect some changes introduced by the Fiji Rugby Union to respective domestic competitions set to start in August and September respectively.
The Farebrother and Pio Bosco challenge will not run separately from the Skipper Cup and Marama Championship.
FRU general manager operations and development Sale Sorovaki said, “they are not going to run on their own. They are in-built into the competition, meaning every time that the holder hosts the game, they also defend the Farebrother and the Bosco.”
The Skipper Cup and Marama Championship will start on August 2.
This means that Farebrother holders Naitasiri will play round one of Skipper Cup, defending the trophy against the newly promoted Malolo rugby side.
Sorovaki also revealed the changes made to the Ranadi and Vanua competitions which are scheduled to start on September 5.
“We have shortened the competition into three weeks simply because of the challenges that the unions face in terms of sponsorship and all that, so we have decided to not really take away the game but still have it at a reduced format.
“Vanua and Ranadi will be in a rally format. We have shortened the format so they will play on a Friday, Tuesday and Saturday so in one week they will just finish their games and a week later, they will go into their knockout competition,” he said.
As per FRU’s planning, teams are expected to play three rounds of matches in the Skipper and Marama Championship before a two-week break is taken for the Deans final on August 23 and the Pacific Nations Cup clash between the FIJI Water Flying Fijians and Tonga on August 30.
Games will resume on September 5 with the Ranadi and Vanua Championship also kicking off.
