For the second Saturday running last weekend, fans of Ba Rugby left Prince Charles Park bitterly disappointed, but equally proud of their boys.
In the Men’s Skipper Cup Quarter-finals a week earlier, Vinod Patel Ba were eventually undone by an incorrect call that denied lock forward Arimela Noa a fine try that would have put his team within 3 points of Nadi with a few minutes to play. They eventually lost 23-38.
And last week, the illegal intervention by a water carrier in the closing stages changed the course of the U20s semi-finals, with Nadi edging through 18-17.
“It’s hard to take,” BRU Secretary Gaby Kautoga sighed. “We prepare so hard for these games, the boys put everything into their performance, really against the odds… and again we go home to Ba empty handed.”
“We know such things are part and parcel of the game, and we wish the two Nadi teams all the best in today’s Finals. We will just have to work harder and step up another notch next season.”
Kautoga heaped praise on the young players, many of whom will still be eligible to compete in the 2027 competition.
“This season has been a truly communal effort with help and assistance offered from all quarters,” he said. “The players’ parents have rallied around the team, supported their camps and organised trips to every away game.”
“The local villages in Ba have taken turns in hosting the Under 20s which has been wonderful to see. That’s something the team organised themselves.”
“Navala, Natalecake, Nailaga, Toge and Votua have all played their part in giving the team their identity and sending them away in the knowledge that the whole community of Ba is behind them.”
Kautoga also looked positively at the upcoming training facilities in Ba that will vastly improve player preparation in 2027.
Until now, the Ba Rugby Union’s assorted collection of weights, old and new, has been transported here and there to serve all three of its provincial teams.
“We have been talking for two years about having our own gym. That particular path has hit several speed bumps, but it’s nearing reality now and we are confident that we’ll get our gym up and running in the off-season.”
“We are still a long way behind the big unions, but if we keep working towards our goals, we know Ba Rugby will one day give the community something to be very proud of.”
As for the Fiji Pine Ba U20s, they finish their season knowing they were just one kick away from reaching the Grand Final (they missed a relatively simple kick at goal in the 80th minute).
It’s a step-up from 2025 when Nadi powered past them in the semi-finals.
“Most of the backline will be working towards getting a place in the senior team in 2027,” Kautoga said. “As will utility forwards Aminio Seruinoka and Manoa Turagaikeli.”
“And then of course we will have our U16s and U18s hoping to emerge as the upcoming candidates.”
With the Skipper Cup U20 competition expected to start earlier in 2027, the boys will soon begin their off-season programmes.
Overall, Kautoga expressed satisfaction for Ba’s 2026 rugby season.
“Our Junior Championships in April and May were successful, and the Vinod Patel Cup for our Top 16 clubs has become a very strong tournament.”
“We finished well with all three of our representative teams lifting the level of their games at the business end of the season. That said, the year had its challenges on and off the field.”
“After promising so much in recent times, I think 2027 is the year when Ba Rugby will really start to take shape.”
