Suva rugby head coach Solo Nute is counting on Police Blue to successfully defend the Suva Rugby Union’s Escott Shield against Navy in the grand final scheduled for Saturday, September 21.
Nute expressed his confidence in the Police team, stating, “I hope they do well against Navy.” He emphasized the significance of this match, noting that it is a critical opportunity for preparation since there are no similar competitions like the Skipper Cup currently.
He pointed out that the Police players need to enhance their fitness levels and take charge of their scrum performance. “Game management is crucial; they will need to prioritize it to create more scoring opportunities,” he explained.
With the conclusion of the Hibiscus Festival, Nute urged Suva supporters to show up in large numbers to cheer for their teams during the grand final. He also mentioned that Suva’s pre-season training is set to commence in January next year.
Nute indicated that the team will align its preparations with the Fiji Rugby Union (FRU) event calendar. He noted the emergence of potential players from the FRU High Performance Unit and the Suva setup.
He is optimistic about bringing a few Fiji Under-20 players into his squad, aiming to blend both experienced and young talent to strengthen the player pool ahead of the next Skipper Cup.