Malolo crowned Skipper Cup 2025 champions

It was the day of the underdogs.

Tide Tribe Malolo rugby team created history by winning the Skipper Cup for the first time when they dumped Naitasiri 41-26 in today’s grand-final at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva.

The Rupeni Nasiga-coached side sealed the deal when they came out in the second half to score four converted tries in the space of 17 minutes.

Naitasiri had only themselves to blame when poor discipline saw veteran Etonia Rokotuisawa and Veniasi Vosawale copped yellow cards and were playing with 13-men.    

Malolo never looked back and took advantage of the situation.

It was a head on battle from the first whistle with Malolo scored the first try in the 7th minute from a scrum move involving lanky No.8 Aminiasi Natuiyaga who slipped a pass to winger Tomasi Tawake who powered his way over the try-line. Douglas Daveta missed the conversion for a 5-0.

Naitasiri backed by their vocal fans went out on attack with their big forwards leading the charge.

Malolo played with 14-men after lock Isaia Rugu was yellow carded for a dangerous tackle on centre Sakaraia Soqonakalou.

Naitasiri came close to scoring twice but referee Tevita Rokovereni declared that were held up and did not ground the ball.

Continuous pressured paid off when blindside flanker Veniasi Vosawale powered his way over for Naitasiri’s first try with Etonia Rokotuisawa landing the conversion for a 7-5 lead.

Their joy was short-lived when a cross kick by Viliame Nalolo saw a flying Tawake sped past Senijiale Qiokata to dot down his second try, which was not converted as they regained the lead 10-7.

Then Naitasiri kept on the pressure with winger Ilaisa Bete scoring a try in the corner with the conversion going wide for a 12-10 lead at halftime. The only setback was when Vosawale copped a yellow card for a dangerous tackle.

Malolo took control from the start of the second halfback when centre Esala Nalobo dummied his way past Rokotuisawa and Aisea Tuisese to score their third try with Douglas adding the extras to lead 17-12.

Then minutes later lock Peniasi Ratu with sheer strength carried two players with him to score Malolo’s fourth try.

It was converted to further their lead 24-12. In the process Rokotuisawa was yellow carded for a professional foul on Ratu.

Malolo again spun the ball out wide before second-five eighth Joseva Tamata ran through a gap to score a try, which was converted as they led 31-12.

The Douglas had the final say with their final try, which he converted as they increase the lead 38-12.

Naitasiri fought back with converted tries to Naqiri and Soqonakalou.

It was sub Tevita Ledua who nailed Malolo’s penalty to seal the final score at 41-12.