XVs play-off
NEW PROMOTION-RELEGATION CONCEPT
THE Fiji Rugby Union is implementing changes to the promotion-relegation concept for the upcoming season, as confirmed by acting Fiji Rugby Union operations manager and tournament director Jikoibau Matawalu yesterday.
In a bid to enhance the overall Skipper Cup experience for both participants and the audience, Rugby House has reintroduced the promotional relegation concept with a revised format.
Matawalu also announced the inclusion of a Bosco Trophy competition in conjunction with the regular Skipper Cup and ANZ Marama Championship.
“The format for this season is a reviewed one with the Farebrother Trophy challenge and the newly introduced Bosco Trophy incorporated into the normal Skipper Cup and ANZ Marama Championship.
“The promotional relegation concept is brought back but with a reviewed format where the top two teams from the Vodafone Vanua and Royal Tea Ranadi will play round-robin games against the bottom two teams from the Skipper Cup and ANZ Marama comps.
“The two top finishing teams after their round-robin games will qualify to the Skipper Cup and ANZ Marama competitions respectfully,” Matawalu explained.
Sponsorships were also highlighted by Matawalu, stating they are in the negotiation stages for additional support to enhance the delivery of this season.
Burger King, Rooster Chicken, Jack’s Fiji, and Fiji Airways have come forward to provide extra support for the games this season.
“We are thankful to CJ Patel through their Skipper, Royal Tea, and INNK for supporting our local provincial competitions as well as the Weet-Bix Raluve secondary school girls’ competition.
“We are also thankful to Vodafone for their continued support towards our Vanua competition,” Matawalu added.
All unions are expected to submit their final squad list by Wednesday, January 31.
The first round of the Skipper Cup, ANZ Marama/Bosco Trophy, Royal Tea Ranadi and Vodafone Vanua competitions kick off on February 24.
In the Skipper Cup competition, the first round sees Suva take on debutant Ba at HFC Bank Stadium, Nadi hosts Lautoka at Prince Charles Park, Yasawa faces Naitasiri at Churchill Park in Lautoka, Macuata hosts Nadroga at Subrail Park in Labasa, and Namosi takes on Tailevu at Thomson Park in Navua.