New cameras to help lift our rugby

The Skipper Cup 2025 season got underway last Saturday. This is the country’s most prestigious rugby competition. In actual fact it is the very ‘heart beat’ of Fiji Rugby. It is our version of the New Zealand National Provincial Championship (NPC).

Over the decades the Skipper Cup competition has been the breeding place for many of our rugby stars who later make their mark at the global stage.

It is players like Pio Bosco Tikoisuva, Dan Lobendhan, Ratu Ilaitia Tuisese, Ilisoni Taoba, Qele Ratu, Tevita Rabuli, Acura Niuqila, Nasoni Uluvula, Kameli Yacalevu, Vilikesa Vatuwaliwali, Isimeli Batibasaga, Iokimi Finau, Sainivalati Laulau, Serupepeli Turuva, Salacieli Naivilawasa, Tevita Makutu, John Sanday, Peni Volavola, Meli Kurisaru, Waisale Serevi, Marika Vunibaka, Viliame Satala, Setareki Tawake, Alifereti Doviverata, Koli Sewabu, Api Naevo, Aisea Tuilevu, Rupeni Caucau, Seru Rabeni, Vilimoni Delasau, Levani Botia, Semisi Naevo, Kalaveti Ravouvou, Vinaya Habosi, Tevita Ikanivere and the list goes on.

In the past, the Skipper Cup competition has survived many challenges, which threatened its existence but it has survived them all. Now under the current Fiji Rugby Union board and administration, the competition is definitely heading towards better times.

The recent Fiji Rugby Union (FRU) investment of $300,000 in the purchasing of Hudl 360 cameras, to be used at the five venues throughout the competition, has taken the whole event to a higher level.

FRU acting chief executive officer Koli Sewabu said they have done away with the normal cameras which was hard to keep up with the pace of the game. He says the Hudl cameras are fully automated and has the capacity to capture the match from four different angles.

“It codes everything and spits out the data- what it does, it breaks down the game components; it tells them how many scrums were done in the game, how many they won, they lost,” he said.

Sewabu added that the data would be loaded to the Hudl network every Saturday night after the matches and will be distributed to all coaches and players will also have access. He said they hope to bridge the performance level between Skipper and the Fijian Drua (who play at the Super Rugby Pacific competition).

This is the way forward for our local-based rugby players as they can further develop their skills here and be on par with the overseas-based players. Now the onus is on them and our local coaches to make use of every opportunity provided by FRU to take the standard of our Skipper Cup games to a higher notch.

Feedback: leone.cabenatabua@fijisun.com.fj