HISTORY was made in the Fiji Rugby Union provincial competition as Fresh Choice Tailevu and McDonald’s Nadi produced a remarkable clean sweep of draws, with all three matches ending level at full time during round four of the Subrails Marama Cup Championship and Skipper Cup competition at Churchill Park in Lautoka.
Tailevu Rugby Union’s president Joe Rodan Snr believes last Friday’s three-way draw against McDonald’s Nadi was a historic moment for Fiji’s provincial rugby.
The Tailevu and Nadi under-20 sides played to an 18-all draw, while the women’s match ended 24-all before the senior men produced another thriller, finishing 19-all.
Rodan said he could not recall such an occurrence in the history of Fiji’s provincial rugby competitions.
“It is history in the making where we have three games and three draws,” Rodan said.
“I don’t think this has ever happened in the history of Fiji Rugby Provincial competition.
“Three games and three draws in the under-20, Marama Cup and Skipper Cup, and that shows the knowledge and strength that our players have displayed out there.”
Rodan believes the quality of rugby showcased by both Tailevu and Nadi should encourage more local supporters to attend provincial matches.
He said the standard of the Skipper Cup and Marama Cup competitions had improved significantly, with local players proving they could deliver entertaining and competitive rugby.
“Like I said, we pay a lot of money to go watch the Flying Fijians play overseas, but what Tailevu and Nadi showed last Friday in the Marama and Skipper Cup competition is a really high standard,” he said.
“I wish that our local supporters and spectators will support the Skipper Cup competition because the Skipper Cup has improved a lot.”
Rodan said he would like to see greater support for provincial rugby and more spectators turning up to watch local players in action.
“To me, I like to see more local players and local spectators’ step in to support Skipper Cup because we have got a high standard of rugby nowadays,” he said.
Despite the draw against Nadi, Rodan was already looking ahead to Tailevu’s next challenge with Rodan confident his side can secure victory.
“We will take on Naitasiri and we will beat Naitasiri at Ratu Cakobau Park this week,” he said.
