Rugby fans should expect an intense Skipper Provincial Cup competition when it kicks off in March.

The Fiji Rugby Union had deferred the competition to early next year to allow all the affiliated Union officials to reset and re-organise their plans.

This also includes setting up their off season training programme for the players.

Speaking to SUNsports yesterday Northland Rugby Union president Livai Driu said this is a good period to build-up.

“Northland Rugby will definitely make use of this period by using our off season programme,” he said.

“At the same time we’re using this time to build-up our players for the Skipper Cup competition.

“We’ll have to move our club games forward so our players could have more game time.”

Driu said they are meeting tomorrow to decide on their next move.

“After the cancellation of the (Skipper Provincial Cup) competition there will be a huge re-organisation to take us right to March.

“Before all these happens we will have to go through our vaccination process and follow the return to games protocol.”

Rewa Rugby Union president Ro Macanawai Mataitini believes it’s time to adapt to the new norm.

“We have to sort ourselves first in making sure that we follow all return to game protocol,” Ro Macanawai said.

“This is the new norm and the data collected here will be used next year so we will have to speed up our vaccination process.

“The quicker the better. We will also use of this time for off-season training and an opportunity to reset our goals for next year.”

Tailevu Rugby manager Samuela Tuikiligana said that their board would have to seat and decide on their next move.

“We will be having a meeting on November 11 to discuss and set our plans,” he said.

“At the moment we will use this time for our off season training to build-up our players for next year.”

Tailevu Rugby are also looking for a head coach after Seremaia Bai stepped down due to personnel commitments.

Defending Skipper Provincial Cup holders Suva would decide on holding a 10s competition, says team manager Nemani Tuifagalele.

“Our Excom is to meet this week to discuss the way forward- they have the club game competition to deliberate on,” he said.

“There are plans to convene a 10s tournament and Junior Escort Shield competition.

“That will be decided during the Excom meeting. All Suva players have been advised about the cancellation of the tournament.”

The Nadroga Rugby Union executives are to meet tomorrow to decide on their next move.

It is understood that Inkk Mobile Farebrother-Sullivan Trophy holders Naitasiri are closely following all return to rugby protocol so they can resume with their club games while the senior teams will be focusing on their off-season training.

Questions sent to Nadi Rugby treasuer Jeff Tamata was yet to be answered.

Edited by Leone Cabenatabua
Feedback: simione.haravanua@fijisun.com.fj