Tailevu rugby fans lit up the last round of the Skipper Cup Premiership/Farebrother-Sullivan Trophy at Prince Charles Park, Nadi yesterday.
And what a way to end the season with the real Farebrother crowd back in full force. Kudos to Nadi as the second half surge propelled the Jets to a convincing 28-10 victory and the crowd turnout allowed them to have that much needed income.
The turnout consolidated the fact that fans played major role in shifting the rugby power base south ending the west domination.
It started in round three in August when Naitasiri fans proved that Thomson Park, Navua was too small and not viable to host major provincial competition thus forcing the Fiji Rugby Union to shift all Namosi’s games to either Ratu Cakobau Park, Nausori or ANZ Stadium, Suva.
Last month Rewa fans turned up in full force twice to support the Vodafone Vanua semifinals against Nanukuloa at Garvey Park, Tavua and the final for the Bainimarama Shield against Northland at Lawaqa Park, Sigatoka.
Another proven fact to the domination are the three semifinalists for the Skipper Cup next week are all from the southern division. Table leader Suva will play Namosi in the first semifinal while Naitasiri host Nadroga at Ratu Cakobau Park in the second
Of the eight teams competing in the 2021 competition, six are from the south while Nadi and Nadroga represent the west.
And yesterday, Tailevu fans proved that, with the business arm of the province Tailevu Holdings Company Ltd leading the charge, they would be pushed to the limit in supporting their team in 2021.
Nausori commuters had to find other means of transport as the majority of the buses servicing the Suva- Nausori corridor were already in Nadi.
And by midday, the green and gold fans packed the grandstand.
This is a good sign that rugby is in for a bumper year in 2021. Tailevu fans proved it with a super turnout in Nadi yesterday despite not returning home with the prized silverware.
SEMI-FINALS
Suva v Namosi; Naitasiri v Nadroga.
Edited by Leone Cabenatabua
Feedback: oseab@fijisun.com.fj