The first semi-final of the Suva Rugby Union Escott Shield will feature Army Green facing off against Fresh’et Navy this Saturday. In the other semi-final, the Eastern Saints, led by Seremaia Bai, will compete against SCB Police.
SRU secretary Nemani Tuifagalele announced the semi-final matches yesterday, stating that the venue for both games will be decided soon. The USP grounds have been booked, although Buckhurst and Bidesi Park are reserved by Oceania, while Laucala grounds are also unavailable.
“We are striving to secure the best venues for the semi-finals,” Tuifagalele explained. “The matches will likely take place either at the USP ground or Suva Grammar grounds.” He added that this weekend’s games are expected to be thrilling.
Tuifagalele urged fans to come out and support what he described as one of the most anticipated semi-finals ever. He acknowledged the competitiveness of this season’s matches, noting, “It’s too early to make predictions since all four teams competing are strong.”
SCB Police, considered favorites, triumphed in a challenging quarter-final against Lomaiviti last week. The team benefits from the expertise of veteran Number 8 James Brown and Paris Olympics silver medalist Terio Tamani. “Police is a formidable opponent; they are the reigning champions and well-acquainted with the Escott Shield, having won it multiple times,” he said.
Last year, SCB Police defeated Fresh’et Navy 13-11 in a nail-biting Escott Shield final at Buckhurst Park in Suva. Tuifagalele praised Lomaiviti for their impressive performance in the quarter-finals against the current champions.
He highlighted the consistency in team participation over the past two years while noting that the intensity and quality of the competition continue to improve. “This reflects the effort and time invested in grassroots development, which is positively impacting club-level performance,” he stated.