For the first time since the club was formed in 2020, both Eastern Saints rugby teams have made it to the semi-finals of the FMF Suva Rugby Union competitions.
The Eastern Saints Blues will compete in the Escort Shield semi-finals, while the Eastern Saints Gold team has secured a spot in the Koroturaga competition semi-finals.
Eastern Saints Blues head coach Vueti Tupou said this year’s achievement shows how far the club has come despite challenges.
“We have two teams now, and to achieve that, both teams this year are looking forward to playing the same finals.”
Last Saturday, the Blues edged out DAG QVS Blue 32-29 in the quarterfinals, while the Eastern Saints Gold beat DAV QVSOB White 13-0 in the Koroturaga competition quarter-finals.
Tupou was honest about the Blues’ performance.
“It was a disappointing performance from the boys. It was not what we have planned to do on Saturday, but I’m just so proud of the boys that they took the pressure and came out as winners.”
He said the team had set targets before the game but had not met them all.
“They were lazy in our defense and also in our attack. We never complete our phases of play when we have the ball. But as I said, we take a win as it comes.”
Looking ahead to the semi-finals, Tupou said the team is learning from last year.
“As I said last year, we achieved our semi first time to be played on the semi-final against Police, and we just learned from there. We were leading the police, and we just lost it in the last 15 minutes.”
Tupou also spoke about developing new players.
“Yes, a lot of new plays here, it’s for us as good as you just have to whatever place we have we just have to develop them.”
Eastern Saints now prepare for what promises to be a tough and exciting semi-final weekend.