Kadavu’s journey in provincial rugby is one filled with highs and lows, however their promotion to the 2026 Skipper Cup when they won 18-13 over Taveuni, in the semi-final of the Vodafone Vanua Trophy on Tuesday, was their ascension to a plateau once too elusive to latch onto.
They had to bounce back after a 7-10 deficit at half-time against the men from the Garden Island.
In the first 40-minutes, play was equally contested between both teams as the match went into half-time afterwards with a converted try for Kadavu and a penalty kick and converted try for Taveuni.
After the break, Taveuni was able to add only three points from a penalty kick onto the board while Kadavu added two penalty kicks and an unconverted try to seal the win for them.
Kadavu head coach Josevata Bola said Tuesday’s victory was a step forward for them after fulfilling a mission they set out to achieve three years ago.
“As for us, we were planning for three years that Kadavu will go into the Skipper Cup,” Bola shared after the match.
“So we thank God we have achieved it this year and I hope we will prepare very well for the next year before the Skipper Cup starts.”
Reflecting on the win, it was the culmination of a two month preparation process for this year’s Vanua challenge.
“I feel happy for our win today because we know of the long time we prepared and then we came to Suva,” he said.
“We thank God for our win today.”
Kadavu will meet Navosa in the final at 3pm this Saturday at Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka.
Navosa won 34-26 over Rewa in their semi-final match and have also been promoted to the Skipper Cup next year.
