Skipper Cup: Suva ready for Lautoka in battle of the Cities

Defending Skipper Cup champions Suva are raring to go against a formidable Lautoka side at Churchill Park this afternoon.

The capital city side are currently injury free and Suva Coach, Solomone Nute, says the men from the Sugar City will not be taken lightly after their impressive performance against Nadi last week.

Lautoka were edged 28-24 by Nadi in round 1.

Suva have included 10 players from their 2023 Under 20 winning team alongside some returning experienced senior players that lifted the Skipper Cup last year.

Nute says they have some young players coming through the High-Performance Unit, the Fiji Warriors set-up and some Fijian Drua development players joining their senior team this year with the hope of retaining the cup and adding the Inkk Farebrother Cup to their collection.

Lautoka coach, Penione Nanitu, says that the young Maroons had a good off season in preparation for their entry into this year’s Skipper Cup and performed well against last year’s finalist and Inkk Farebrother Champions, Nadi.

Nanitu says the players have been reminded that this is a different level of competition compared to the Vodafone Vanua Cup and they need to be playing at a higher standard.

Lautoka will host Suva at 3pm, at Churchill Park.

In other Skipper Cup matches today, Ba will play Yasawa, Macuata will host Nadi, Naitasiri will take on Tailevu and Nadroga will play Namosi.

All senior men’s games will kick off at 3pm.