Fiji Sports Council Executive Chair, Ratu Gilbert Vakalalabure has clarified that they are not stopping the Fiji Secondary Schools Rugby Union from having the Vodafone Super Deans finals played at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva, and says the Fiji Sports Council still has not received any bookings from the FSSRU yet.
Vakalalabure told fijivillage Sports that the Council has always been open to accommodating the FSSRU, and it is up to them to make the necessary arrangements.
Vakalalabure says they can host the finals of the Super Deans, as it is a one week gap until the Fiji Water Flying Fijians host Tonga at the HFC Bank Stadium and they will still have time to get the pitch ready for the game.
Vakalalabure confirms that the only booking received so far from the FSSRU was for the Bidesi and Buckhurst grounds for tomorrow’s Weet-Bix Raluve quarterfinals and the Super Deans playoffs.
He adds it appears that the FSSRU is operating on a week-by-week basis.
Vakalalabure says it is frustrating because this was the same case that happened when the Fiji Football Association had blamed the Fiji Sports Council for the double booking that led to the controversy of the poor pitch condition when the Flying Fijians played Scotland in Suva last month.
Meanwhile, FSSRU Vice President Biu Colati says they are still waiting on confirmation from the Fiji Sports Council, and if none is given, they will explore alternative venues, including the Nukuvuto Ground at Queen Victoria School.
The Super Deans quarter finals will be held next Saturday at Prince Charles Park in Nadi and Churchill Park in Lautoka.
The semi finals for both the Raluve and Super Deans competitions will be played at Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka on Saturday 16th August 2025.
