Naitasiri faces newcomers Malolo in Skipper final
Continuous pressure from Tailevu took its toll on Naitasiri with lock Avisa Anaqali crashing over for their first try right in the 17th minute. Tabakaucoro converted to extend their lead to 13-5.
Saturday 25 October 2025 | 04:00
Naitasiri will take on Tide Tribe Malolo in the Skipper Cup 2025 grand-final next Saturday.
The Highlanders put on a gutsy performance as they came from behind to beat Standard Concrete Tailevu 31-26 in the second semifinal at Suva’s HFC Bank Stadium this afternoon.
Tailevu blew away a 23-10 lead at halftime.
It was Tailevu’s lack of experience in pressure games that saw them buckled in the second half as they conceded 21 points.
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Tailevu took an early 3-0 lead from a penalty converted by Anare Tabakaucoro.
Then Naitasiri spun the ball out wide with Sakaraia Soqonakalou slipping a pass to Aisea Tuisese to dive in the corner for their first try. The conversion by Etonia Rokotuisawa went wide as Naitasiri led 5-3.
Tailevu kept the ball alive with their passing and a high tackle from Naitasiri resulted in a penalty with Tabakaucoro converting it as they regained the lead 6-5.
Continuous pressure from Tailevu took its toll on Naitasiri with lock Avisa Anaqali crashing over for their first try right in the 17th minute. Tabakaucoro converted to extend their lead to 13-5.
In the 25th minute he kicked over a penalty to push them further ahead 16-5.
A defensive blunder by Tailevu full-back Semisi Uluiviti saw Marika Natau scoop the ball up before passing it to winger Ilaisa Bete to score their second try. The conversion went wide as they trailed 16-10.
Tailevu fought back with captain Vunaki Waqanibau scoring in the corner before Tabakaucoro landed the conversion to make it 23-10.
It was all Naitasiri in the second half with tries to blindside flanker Peniasi Vosawale, Peceli Rokotuivatu and Bete with Rokotuisawa landing all three conversions. Tailevu managed to convert a penalty to Albert Stanley to narrow the gap 31-26.
