The second round of the Skipper Cup Premiership competition resumes on Saturday.

It will be a battle to stay in the race for teams who lost in the first round and a push for another win for others.

Nadroga, Namosi, Rewa and Tailevu all lost their first round games and must bounce back while Nadi, Northland, Naita­siri and Suva have a chance of going for the second win.

The feature match of the round will be a showdown at the ANZ Stadium between de­fending champions Suva and Nadroga.

With only seven rounds to play for the eight teams, Nadroga must win after re­cording the biggest loss (40-18) to Nadi in the first round.

Once defending the Skipper Cup and HFC Bank Farebrother Challenge for years, the Stallions have nothing left in their rugby cabinet at Talenavuruvuru.

They need to win to shift the power base of rugby back to the western division.

The only other western team in the Skip­per Cup Premiership, Nadi will be pushing for their second win against Northland at Prince Charles Park.

Northland team manager Jo Rabuli said they know it would be tough second round.

“It will be tough playing Nadi in Nadi and the boys are preparing to rise to the occa­sion at Prince Charles Park,”Rabuli said.

“Our long term target is to stay in the Skip­per Cup Premiership in 2020.”

The other teams playing this week are Naitasiri playing Rewa at Ratu Cakobau Park while Namosi host Tailevu at Thom­son Park.

Suva training squad:

1. Eroni Mawi
2. Mateo Qolisese
3. Apisai Vatubuli
4. Luke Tagi
5. Benji Makutu
6. Seveci Naisilisili
7. Mesu Dolokoto
8. Sireli Ledua
9. Penaia Cakobau
10. Peni Naulago
11. Jone Delana
12. Tuifagalele Sorovakatini
13. Apolosi Tora
14. Peni Raidre
15. Vilikesa Sewale
16. Filimoni Seru
17. Jitoko Usumaki
18. Tui Cakacaka
19. Elia Canakaivata
20. Aporosa Kenatale
21. Anare Saurara
22. Nemani ( covenant)
23. Jone Manu
24. Jeke Suguturaga
25. Watisoni Sevutia
26. Vatili Dulaki
27. John Stewart
28. Apisalome Vota
29. Epeli Vaka
30. Setareki Raoba
31. Misaele Petero
32. Meli Kurisaru
33. Malakai Vakalawa
34. Alipate Tule
35. Vasilali Mudu
36. Leone Nawai

-Edited by Sheldon Chanel

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