The 2025 Vodafone Deans and Weet-Bix Raluve semifinals have been relocated to HFC Bank Stadium in Suva this weekend, after earlier plans to stage them at Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka. Organisers confirmed the change this afternoon.
HFC Bank Stadium will host six semifinals, with seven more games to be played at Buckhurst Park and three at Bidesi Ground. Thirteen semifinal matches from the Stadium and Buckhurst Park will be broadcast live on FBC Sports and FBC 2, marking a historic first in which the full slate of semifinals is televised, including Raluve fixtures.
The finals will be played at HFC Bank Stadium next weekend, on Saturday, August 23.
Additional context and comments:
– This switch to Suva aligns with expanded broadcast plans flagged earlier this season, enabling TV crews to cover multiple nearby venues. The Suva cluster of HFC Bank Stadium, Buckhurst, and Bidesi makes it feasible to deliver comprehensive, simultaneous coverage for fans.
– The move follows weeks of venue uncertainty linked to scheduling and pitch readiness, and the confirmation restores tradition by bringing the pinnacle stages back to Laucala Bay. It also means more families and supporters in the capital can attend, creating a festival atmosphere across the three grounds.
– The broader live coverage is a major boost for school rugby, giving unprecedented exposure to players across grades and shining a brighter spotlight on the Raluve semifinals.
Hopeful note:
– Centralizing the semifinals and finals in Suva should enhance matchday operations, improve broadcast quality, and make it easier for fans to follow every moment. The momentum behind full live coverage is a win for the sport and an inspiration for young athletes across Fiji.
Summary:
– Semifinals moved from Lawaqa Park to HFC Bank Stadium, Suva, this weekend.
– Six semifinals at HFC Bank Stadium, seven matches at Buckhurst Park, three at Bidesi.
– Thirteen semifinals from the Stadium and Buckhurst Park will air live on FBC Sports and FBC 2 for the first time.
– Finals confirmed for HFC Bank Stadium on Saturday, August 23.
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