Nadi Rugby Union is preparing for a marathon day of rugby tomorrow, with seven matches scheduled as the union combines the Round Eight Skipper and Marama Cup fixtures with the TISA Insurance Nadi Rugby Club competition finals.
Nadi Rugby Union operations manager Jeff Tamata said preparations were complete for the busy programme, with gates opening at 7am.
“We have a jam-packed programme tomorrow with seven games altogether,” Tamata said.
“Six games will be at ground one, with one game combining ground two and ground three.”
The TISA Insurance Nadi Rugby Club competition will feature four finals across the Under-20, Premier, Women’s and Super Premier categories.
The Under-20 final between Nasesevia and Nationwide Sabeto will kick off at 8am, followed by the Premier final between Nawaka and Police Nadi at 9.30am.
The Round Eight Marama Cup fixture between McDonald’s Nadi and BLK Nadroga will begin at 11.30am, followed by the Under-20 encounter between the two unions at 1.30pm.
The main Skipper Cup match between McDonald’s Nadi and BLK Nadroga will kick off at 3.30pm.
The TISA Insurance Super Premier final between KOFERA Trust Western Marine and REDSOIL Dratabu will kick off at 5pm.
Tamata said the successful completion of the first round of the club competition had been made possible through the support of clubs, players, fans, families, sponsors, and other stakeholders.
He said the performances of Nadi’s senior, women’s and Under-20 teams in their respective competitions had also demonstrated the value of the club competition.
“All these three teams are in the top three in each category,” he said.
“So, Nadi is the most consistent union right now with all these three categories.”
Tamata said the quarterfinals and semifinals had produced an atmosphere like the Skipper Cup, with clubs lifting their standards both on and off the field.
“What we have seen, it’s just like a mini-Skipper happening in our club competition,” he said.
He acknowledged the coaches and club administrators for raising their standards and said the development was important as Nadi continued to build towards tier-one rugby.
