The Skipper Cup 2024 semifinals will be played under one roof on Saturday.

This was confirmed to SUNsports yesterday by the Fiji Rugby Union indicating that Under-20 and Seniors semifinals will be played at Ratu Cakobau Park in Nausori.

In the U20 semi-finals, see the Lasarusa Senibale-coached Naitasiri side taking on FMF Suva while the other semifinal is between Nadroga and Nadi. In the seniors competition the defending champions is FMF Suva.

Semifinal 1: FMF Suva v Jack’s Nadi 

The Suva side is going to take on Nadi in the forwards in the first Skipper Cup semifinal. Suva head coach Solo Nute said he had been working on improving their set piece before the semifinal.

The wily coach is hopeful that his players in the Fiji men’s rugby sevens team would be allowed to play in the semifinal. They are wily halfback Terio Tamani, dashing utility back Sakiusa Siqila and strong running centre Tira Wilagi. Nute said these players made a big difference in the side during the quarterfinal.

“We will work harder and take care of ill-discipline,” the former Suva and Police prop said.

The Nadi rugby side is also making a comeback after losing the Farebrother Trophy to Lautoka.

The Ilaitia Momo-coached side avenged that loss by beating Lautoka 17-12 in the quarterfinal. Nadi has been strengthened by the inclusion of veteran first-five eighth Vatemo Ravouvou.

They also have the services of Drua players like Meli Tuni, Tuidraki Samusamuvodre and Sailosi Vukalokalo.

Momo said they would analyse their game and look at their weak areas before working on it.

Players to watch: Terio Tamani (Suva), Mosese Naura (Nadi).

Semifinal 2: Naitasiri v Cambridge Farm Nadroga 

This is the replay of the INKK Farebrother-Sullivan Trophy challenge clash. Naitasiri came out 11- 10 winners against Nadroga, two weeks ago at the same venue. It was all thanks to a late penalty from full-back Etonia Rokotuisawa that enabled the Highlanders to keep the country’s prestigious rugby title.

Naitasiri head coach Ilaitia Tuisese’s (Jnr) concern is on the team’s discipline where they are averaging two yellow cards per match.

“Discipline, discipline, discipline,” said Tuisese when asked about areas of their game they need to improve after their quarterfinal win over Macuata.

The motivating factor for the Hillmen is to end the season by winning the Skipper Cup as this is the best way to celebrate the Naitasiri Rugby Union’s silver jubilee celebration, which will take place later in the year.

Naitasiri is expected to field their Fijian Drua players of Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, Motikai Murray and development prop Jone Naqiri.

For the Stallions, they ended their losing run with an impressive win over Tailevu in the quarterfinals.

Nadroga was strengthened with the inclusion of Drua players like Taniela Rakuro, Junior Ratuva, Apisalome Vota and Michael Naitokani.

Also impressive was flanker Sakiusa Vosayaco and rookie No.10 Joeli Baleilevuka with his kicking accuracy.

Nadroga vice- captain Naitokani said they need to focus on improving their finishing before their semi-final clash.

Players to watch: Kavaia Tagivetaua (Naitasiri) and Sakiusa Vosayaco (Nadroga).

Feedback: leonec@fijisun.com.fj