Farebrother showdown
TODAY’S Farebrother battle is between Fiji’s top two provincial sides.
The clash is about dignity and pride as former Skipper Cup champion Nadroga faces current champion Suva.
A lot is at stake for Nadroga. Ironically, Suva claimed the Farebrother Trophy from Nadroga back in 2012 and 2017.
Down memory lane and the blue brigade recorded back to back wins against Nadroga in the final of the Skipper Cup (2018 and 2019).
In 2018, during the round-robin stage, Nadroga narrowly beat Suva (28-26) and then in tit for tat fashion Suva wrested the Skipper Cup from Lawaqa Park after beating Nadroga by a single point (36-35).
This year Suva beat Nadroga (34-26) despite losing big names.
The last time Nadroga tasted victory against Suva was in 2017 when Nadro defeated Suva in the Skipper Cup semis (35-12) because in 2017 during the Farebrother clash Suva broke thousands of Nadroga hearts at Lawaqa Park and ended Nadroga’s 25-match unbeaten run with another single point win (24-23).
Suva later lost the Farebrother Trophy to Namosi (20-18).
This year Suva and Nadroga have met each other twice and Suva prevailed on both occasions.
During the round-robin clash at home Suva thrashed Nadroga (34-16) while the Capital City boys defended their Skipper Cup title at home so this third meeting is sure to add fireworks.
Nadroga stole the cup from Nadi’s back yard in the second clash (203) after the Jets had dethroned the Highlanders (14-10) so the Stallions will put their body on the line and shed sweat and blood to defend what is the only silverware in the vanua of Nakuruvakarua.
My best wishes to the Stallions in their bid to defend the Farebrother Trophy! Waqatabu will be missed but I’m sure that Nadroga will get the job done. Hakwa Nadro hakwa!
RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM Nadawa, Nasinu