A last-minute try and conversion gave the Nasinu Police Rugby team a dramatic 12-10 win over Newtown Rugby team in the 2025 Ram Sami Nasinu Rugby Union Premier 15s final at St. Marcellin Primary School grounds yesterday.
With the clock winding down and Newtown leading 10-5, Police Timoci Tavisa broke through to score.
The pressure conversion went through, and the final whistle followed seconds later.
It was Police first title since 2023.
Speaking to this newspaper after the game, Police Technical advisor Daniele Sauturaga said, “We came in prepared, and we really relied on the game plan.”
“At halftime, we just told the boys to slow the game down and stick to the plan,” he said.
No points were scored in the first half of the game. Five minutes after the restart, Police struck first through Lorosio Civoniceva.
But Newtown hit back through Sakeo Vunivanua to level the scores.
Minutes later, Amini Junior dived over to give Newtown a 10-5 lead.
Police pushed hard in the final quarter but were met with strong defence.
Then in the final minute, Tavisa found space out wide. His try drew the scores level and the successful conversion sealed it.
Turaga praised his players for sticking to their roles.
“We told them to use what they’ve been given and trust the system,” he said.
Four yellow cards were shown during the match, a concern for both sides.
“That’s down to individual discipline,” Turaga said.
“We’ve already told them to keep their cool and focus on the game.”
Police have beaten Newtown earlier in the round-robin stages and were confident heading into the final.
“We met them already and beat them, and so we came in today ready,” he said.
Turaga dedicated the win to Valelevu Police station and their supporters.
The Ram Sami Nasinu RFU Premier 15s competition is one of the top community rugby events in the Suva-Nasinu corridor, drawing a big crowd and local rivalries.
