The time has come!
SO, here we are – today the Vinod Patel Ba team make their muchanticipated debut in the prestigious Skipper Cup against the holders Suva at 3pm at Bidesi Park.
“It has been a whirlwind 10 months since the new BRU committee first assembled,” BRU secretary Talatala Gaby Kautoga said.
“In all honesty, it’s been nonstop on and off the field to get to this point.
“We realise that facing the champions Suva in their own backyard on the opening day is no small task, but the boys have been putting in the hard yards in training and are in good spirits.”
The Vinod Patel Ba squad made the four-hour bus journey to the Capital yesterday and is being hosted by the Ba community in Toorak along with the Fiji Pine Ba Juniors, whose game against Suva kicks off at 1pm.
“On Thursday night, the players camped at the Veilomani Boys Home in Namosau and enjoyed their dinner alongside the youngsters. It was a special experience for both sides,” Kautoga said.
“The Veilomani boys often help us out at training sessions, organising the jerseys for the captain’s run, or helping with the water bottles.
“And in Suva, the Ba community has been so supportive and has looked after our every need. We can feel the vanua behind us today; it’s very moving.”
Despite the inclement weather, the Vilimoni Delasau-coached side has enjoyed several useful warm-up matches in recent weeks against Nadi, Lautoka and Yasawa, but the true test comes this afternoon in the Bidesi mud.
“The men’s match will be the fourth of the day on the same pitch, so I think we all know what the conditions will be like,” the talatala said.
Bringing the tournament forward to be in line with the Fijian Drua schedule is a good idea, but in hindsight maybe a mid-March start would have been wiser given the normal rainfall in February across the Fiji Islands.
Ba isn’t the only province looking for useable rugby grounds.
“The Island Pharmacy Ba women’s side is to host newcomers Kadavu at 3pm in the Royal Tea Ranadi Cup but it has been a big task to find a suitable ground.
“Our first choice – Vinod Patel Park – was initially thought to be too waterlogged to be considered, and the grounds at AD Patel College and Xavier College were deemed not compliant. We could have used the ground at Methodist School in Nailaga, but rugby league had booked it.
“After much phoning and running around, the FRU’s rugby development officer for this region, Ben Takubu, even tried to secure the ground at Ratu Navula School in Nadi.
“In the end, ground one at Vinod Patel Park in Ba was dry enough to be playable. So, that’s where the Ba Women will host Kadavu at 3pm.
“As both teams are proud wearers of black jerseys, we are not sure what the match commissioner will suggest, but our ladies can always don the white Bulu Solesole jerseys from the Ba Tikina Championships if need be.”
Saiasi Koroi is now head coach of the Island Pharmacy Ba women’s team after Tomasi Bagaga reduced his workload for personal reasons. Bagaga is still part of the management team but Koroi will lead and have Semi Driso and Josateki Vale as his assistants.
The Fiji Pine Ba juniors, meanwhile, are in a confident mood after some serious workouts at Vinod Patel Park.
The squad is very similar to last year’s side as they were all under-19 at that time.
Head coach Josua Tuwai believes his team can challenge the bigger, more established unions this season.
“As the Ba seniors team has always been in the minor division, we haven’t had the opportunity to test ourselves against the major provinces … until now that is,” Tuwai said.
“We are a close-knit group with a strong bond. We have a smooth backline and hope our unity can work in our favour against very established opposition.”
“This is a huge day for the boys. E i rewa vina du - we can definitely do it!”