THE future of the Ba Rugby Union’s senior men’s team looks promising as its under-20 team continues its upward progression in provincial rugby, particularly the Skipper Cup.
Union secretary Gabby Kautoga relayed these sentiments following the team’s 20-15 win over Macuata in the quarter-finals of the U20 Skipper Cup at Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka last Saturday.
“Yes, our under-20s are going up to the semi-final and that is the picture of Ba Rugby in two to three years time,” Kautoga mentioned.
“And we are secure then because the under-20s have secured a spot (in the semi-finals).”
In the 2025 season of the U20 competition, it recorded eight wins and two losses from the round-robin leg to the quarter-final, an indication of what Kautoga said was testament to the growth taking place in the team.
“We’re proud of the boys, they all gave their hearts out today (Saturday). Today is the result of development, grassroots development,” he added.
Getting farther into the competition is no small feat for Ba, and he expressed his appreciation to the team’s sponsors and the vanua for their unwavering support.
He said their support last week was evident in the many fans and supporters who made the long commute from the highlands and reached Ba town at 5am that day to head to Sigatoka to cheer on their under-20 and senior men’s teams.
“And today (Saturday), the boys saw the support from the Vanua, from everyone.
“Believe in the Ba team, just trust in this Ba team and we’ll come back next year,” alluding to the senior men’s side that lost 32-18 to Naitasiri in the quarter-final.
The Ba U20 will face Nadi at 11am tomorrow at Bidesi Park in Suva.
