In a rugby finale likened to a David-Goliath battle, Malolo toppled Naitasiri to win the 2025 Skipper Cup with a resounding 41-26 victory in Suva yesterday.
A sold-out audience of more than 10,000 people at the HFC Bank Stadium, made up largely of Naitasiri fans, witnessed the underdogs come from behind at half-time to surprise the home crowd favourite.
Naitasiri had led 12-10 at half-time.
The home crowd first watched the match with resounding cheers of support for their team however as Malolo seized a gradually dominant grip over the match, the cacophony of noise from the black and red brigade quietened.
Malolo head coach Rupeni Nasiga reflected on the historical significance of their victory, saying it marked a new dawn for them.
“Today (yesterday), it is the first time for the team from Lawa (the vanua o Lawa) to reach the final and God only knows how happy we all are and we are thankful for his help and guidance,” Nasiga said.
“And we thank Him for helping the players right from when the competition began till now.”
He said when they prepared for the final against Naitasiri during the week, the overall aim for the team was to ensure that “na bilo oqo ena soko wasa ena vanua o Lawa (the Skipper Cup would travel across the sea to the Vanua o Lawa).”
With that being said and done, a grateful Nasiga acknowledged the support and blessings of the Momo na Tui Lawa, the paramount chief of Malolo.
Also acknowledged were the families and supporters of the team, that came from far and wide to cheer on the team as they silenced a resounding home crowd of largely Naitasiri supporters.
Meanwhile, Malolo was also awarded $20,000 in prize money.
