The FRU has confirmed this afternoon that it had upheld the complaint lodged by the Nadroga Rugby Union against the Suva Rugby Union for fielding ineligible players in the second HFC Bank Farebrother Challenge Match between Suva and Nadroga on the 29^th of July 2017.

The HFC Bank Farebrother Rules and Regulation clearly outline that “only players who have played for their Union in the Skipper Cup Competition are eligible to represent their Unions in the HFC Bank Farebrother Challenge matches.  Since Kini Douglas, Inoke Tuisese and Meli Kurisaru had not played for Suva in the Skipper Cup they were ineligible to represent Suva in the HFC Bank Farebrother Challenge.

In view of the above and in accordance with the Rules and Regulations of the HFC Bank Farebrother Challenge, the FRU this afternoon had ruled in favour of Nadroga and declared Nadroga the winner of the second HFC Bank Farebrother Challenge.

However, after meeting with both parties this afternoon, the two parties agreed that rugby was more important than any Union and whilst Suva acknowledged their shortfall in compliance Nadroga Rugby Union also agreed that even though the FRU had ruled in their favour that they have accepted the result of the match and hence agreed that Suva Rugby Union retain the trophy and defend it against Namosi this weekend.

The FRU CEO commended both the Suva Rugby Union and the Nadroga Rugby Union Presidents for the decisions reached this afternoon.  He specifically thanked the President of the Nadroga Rugby Union for raising the complaint to highlight to other Unions the importance of compliance to Rules and Regulations of the competition.

As such, the Suva Rugby Team will now defend the HFC Farebrother Challenge against the Namosi Rugby Team at Ratu Cakobau Park on Friday, the 4^th of August 2017 with the kick off at 5.00pm

Navosa will defend the HFC Bank Farebrother Bainimarama Shield against Rewa at Lawaqa Park on Saturday 5^th of August 2017 with the kick off planned for 3.00pm