Eastern Saints make history as both teams reach semi-finals in FMF Suva Rugby Union competitions
For the first time since the club’s formation in 2020, the Eastern Saints have two teams advancing to the semi-finals of the FMF Suva Rugby Union competitions. The Blues have earned a spot in the Escort Shield semi-finals, while the Gold team is through to the Koroturaga semi-finals.
In last weekend’s knockouts, the Eastern Saints Blues edged past DAG QVS Blue 32-29 in the Escort Shield quarter-finals, and the Eastern Saints Gold defeated DAV QVSOB White 13-0 in the Koroturaga quarter-finals.
Head coach Vueti Tupou reflected on the milestone, noting the club’s impressive growth and depth. “We have two teams now, and to achieve that, both teams this year are looking forward to playing the same finals,” he said.
Tupou was honest about the Blues’ performance in the win, acknowledging the squad’s rough edges while praising their resilience under pressure. “It was a disappointing performance from the boys. It wasn’t exactly what we had planned for Saturday, but I’m incredibly proud of them for handling the pressure and getting the win,” he said. He added that the team had set targets, but not all were met, with issues in defense and phase completion when they had possession.
Looking ahead, Tupou emphasized the club’s learning curve. He recalled last year’s semi-final experience, where the Saints led Police but were caught late, and said the side is applying those lessons as they prepare for what promises to be a demanding weekend. “As I said last year, we reached the semi-finals for the first time and learned a lot from that game against Police. We were leading, and we lost it in the last 15 minutes,” he explained. He also spoke about developing new players, stressing the importance of giving the newer squad members opportunities and continuing their growth.
Eastern Saints now prepare for what should be a tough and exciting semi-final weekend, with both teams aiming to translate their strong knockout showings into title-contending momentum.
What this means for the club
– The double-semi-final breakthrough marks a significant milestone for the Eastern Saints, illustrating growing depth and a healthy development pipeline from youth through to senior levels.
– The Blues’ and Gold’s progress showcases the club’s broader improvement across the Escorts Shield and Koroturaga competitions, signaling potential for more competitive outings in the seasons ahead.
– Tupou’s comments underline a focus on discipline, consistent execution, and continued player development as the club eyes strong showings in both semi-final matches.
Summary
Eastern Saints Blues defeated DAG QVS Blue 32-29 to reach the Escort Shield semi-finals, while Eastern Saints Gold beat DAV QVSOB White 13-0 to secure a Koroturaga semi-final berth. Coach Vueti Tupou highlighted the twin-breakthrough as a testament to the club’s growth and stressed ongoing development of new players as they head into a high-stakes semi-final weekend.
What to watch
– The Blues and Gold will battle to advance to respective finals, testing the Saints’ depth and ability to close out tight matches.
– Expect continued focus on defense and finishing phases, areas Tupou identified as needing refinement even after post-season wins.
– The weekend promises a strong display of grassroots development translating into high-level knockout rugby for the Eastern Saints.
Overall, a hopeful sign for the club’s trajectory and a positive momentum booster for supporters and players alike.
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