The first semi-final of the Suva Rugby Union Escott Shield will witness a thrilling matchup between Army Green and Fresh’et Navy on Saturday. In the other semi-final, the Eastern Saints, led by Seremaia Bai, will face off against SCB Police.
SRU secretary Nemani Tuifagalele confirmed the matchups yesterday, stating that the venue for both games will be announced later. Oceania has booked Buckhurst and Bidesi Park, while Laucala grounds will not be available.
“We’ve secured the USP grounds, but we are aiming to select the best location for the semi-finals,” Tuifagalele explained. “Currently, it’s a choice between the USP ground and Suva Grammar grounds.”
He also added, “This weekend’s match is sure to be exciting. I urge supporters to come out and witness what promises to be an incredible semi-final.”
While the venue is still to be confirmed, Tuifagalele noted that this season’s competition has been intensely competitive. “It’s too early to make predictions since all four teams vying for the top spot are strong contenders.”
Favorites SCB Police recently edged past Lomaiviti in a challenging quarter-final and feature key players, including veteran Number 8 James Brown and silver medallist Terio Tamani from the Paris Olympics.
“Police is a formidable opponent, being the defending champions,” he remarked. “They are well-acquainted with the Escott Shield, having won it several times before.” Last year, Police narrowly defeated Fresh’et Navy 13-11 in a tightly contested final at Buckhurst Park, Suva.
Tuifagalele commended Lomaiviti for their impressive performance in the quarter-finals against the champions, highlighting that although the number of teams has remained the same over the last two years, the intensity and quality of the competition have consistently improved.
“This growth reflects the effort and time dedicated to grassroots development, which is yielding positive results at the club level.”