Ba to regain lost glory in Labasa
“We are looking forward to playing Macuata in their backyard. We need to really look at our breakdowns; game plan execution is paramount, too. We need to play well right until the last quarter,” the Nailaga, Ba, native said.
Tuesday 23 September 2025 | 22:00
Vinod Patel Ba full-back Jovesa Vuase in action against General Machinery Lautoka during their Skipper Cup clash at Vinod Patel Park, Ba, on September 20, 2025.
Photo: Waisea Nasokia
The battle to keep their Skipper Cup spot for next season is now on.
The Vinod Patel Ba rugby side travels to Subrail Park in Labasa to take on Macuata on Saturday. This a must-win clash for both teams. Macuata needs to register a bonus point wins over Ba and Malolo to stay in the top eight.
The competition has intensified after the Fiji Rugby Union confirmed that there would no promotion relegation matches this season. That means the two bottom teams in the Skipper Cup will automatically be relegated to the Vanua Championship.
However, the Saimoni Tagitagivalu-captained Ba side is out to put their campaign back on track this weekend.
Ba suffered a narrow 22-26 loss to Lautoka at Vinod Patel Park last Saturday.
Tagitagivalu said luck was not on their side against the Maroons.
“The boys did give their all and had emptied their tanks,” he said.
“We are looking forward to playing Macuata in their backyard. We need to really look at our breakdowns; game plan execution is paramount, too. We need to play well right until the last quarter,” the Nailaga, Ba, native said.
Ba will be banking on the services of Bill Scott, Joeli Ranitu, William Richard, William Ryland, Epeli Draunidalo, Ponipate Bacanivalu, Peni Dekedeke, and Allen Osbourne to name a few.
The senior men’s clash kicks-off at 3pm but the Under-20 match gets underway at 1pm.
