Farebrother-Sullivan Challenge Announced 22 August, 2012 The order for the 2012 Farebrother-Sullivan Challenge has been finalized with the top six teams from the Digicel Cup competition qualifying to take on Farebrother Cup Holders Nadroga.

Defending champions Nadroga released the challenge order which sees Tailevu meeting them in the first game on 1 September.

Initially the top seven teams from the Digicel Cup competition had qualified for the Farebrother Challenge, but Ovalau has pulled out due to financial constraints.

Nadroga Executive Committee Member Tiko Matawalu says that their choice for the first challenge was Ovalau.

“Since Ovalau has pulled out, Tailevu who was lined up for second challenge gets to take their place”.

“As you see the strength of the six challenges are equally the same but the order is determined on our training plans and game strategies that will best suit each team as they come week in and week out.”

Matawalu says that with Ovalau pulling out it was no surprise to them.

“We normally receive preparation funds however for this year there is nothing there for the 7 teams and it is a pity that through their financial status they are unable to field a team to challenge for this prestigious trophy, and we as defending champions are also facing the same financial problems”.

Ovalau Rugby President Ratu Jope Sigaruarua says that they wanted to be part of the Farebrother, but just could not afford it.

“It costs us a lot of money to prepare the team and then bring them across, there are travel fees, meals and accommodation to consider, which is very expensive”.

“If we had the money we would have loved to be part of the competition, but as agreed on by the Ovalau Rugby Executives, Stakeholders, Clubs and the Vanua, we don’t want to burden anybody financially and its best that we concentrate on the 2013 season” he said.

Teams that qualify for the Farebrother Challenge depends on how they finished on the Digicel Cup table within the same season.

So with Ovalau pulling out, only 7 teams will compete for the Farebrother-Sullivan Challenge.

The order and dates of challengers for the 2011 season is as follows:

1 September - Tailevu
8 September - Northland
15 September - Nadi
22 September - Suva
29 September - Naitasiri
6 October - Lautoka