The Sharks will host the Crusaders next week in the first Colonial Cup semi-final to be held outside of Viti Levu, whilst the Knights have the pleasure of hosting the Highlanders in the other semi-final.

The Sharks stunned the Highlanders 24-20 in Suva on Saturday despite playing for 65 minutes with only 14 men; and in Tavua the Knights piled up a 33-20 win over the Bligh Roosters to grab second place in the table on points difference ahead of the Highlanders.

The Knights' victory also means that the Stallions miss out on the semi-finals for the first time in Colonial Cup history.

The semi-finals will be played next Friday and Saturday with the venues to be confirmed by the Fiji Rugby Union on Tuesday.

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Quotes:

Josua Toakula (Highlanders coach):
"I must applaud the Sharks for the win. As hosts we came in as favourites, but we just didn't do our part today. We started the game well in the first spell but it was unfortunate we weren't able to maintain the work rate."

"We made wrong decisions, lost possession, and the Sharks capitalized on the mistakes. We were hoping to host a semi-final but the table has
turned. But we are definitely looking to lift our game and make amends."

Ifereimi Tawake (Sharks coach):
"What more can I say? I am proud of the boys, I am proud of the effort they put in and most importantly their effort to be able to give the people in the North another chance to host the Colonial Cup despite playing with 14 men for 65 minutes of the game. This is the first time one of the semi-finals will be hosted in the North so I am happy."

"After the slow start in the first half we went into the break and came up with a better plan and I glad it worked. But the hard work is not over yet. The semi-final is a different ball game altogether and we must lift our game and most especially discipline."

Saturday, 22 March 2008
Highlanders 20 Sharks 24
Colonial Cup Round 5
Post Fiji Stadium, Suva
Half-time: 20-7
Referee: James Bolabiu
Att: 7,000

Highlanders: 15 Manueli Nawalu (Ben Soso 63), 14 Patrick Osbourne, 13 Ropate Ratu, 12 Daniele Baleinadogo (capt), 11 Mosese Luveitasau (Manueli Gade 60), 10 Saiasi Fuli, 9 Waisale Vatuvoka (yellow card 14-23), 8 Koresi Ledua, 7 Mitieli Cama, 6 Andrew Durutalo (Watisoni Qiqiwaqa 58), 5 Apisalome Ratuniyarawa, 4 Mosese Vasuitoga (Meli Baleinaivalu 52), 3 Bese Bunimasi (Iliesa Lutumailagi 57), 2 Buli Maivale, 1 Alefoso Yalayalatabua
Not Used: Jovilisi Fotofili, Semiti Raikuna
Coach: Josua Toakula
Tries: Osbourne, Ratu; Conversions: Nawalu (2); Pen goals: Nawalu (2)

SHARKS: 15 Setareki Koroilagilagi, 14 Vereimi Vilitati, 13 Masi Naoma (Isoa Rokobici 41), 12 Josefa Satini, 11 Apisalome Waqabaca (Penaia
Vakaruru 66), 10 Amani Bosenawai (red card 15), 9 Netani Koroi (Jock Luita 67), 8 Timoci Vakadranu, 7 Sailosi Rabonaqica, 6 Kolinio Vasuilagi (capt), 5 Mosese Fatiaki (Lemeki Laqere 54), 4 Joeli Lutumailagi, 3 Isireli Temo (Aritema Warua 66), 2 Viliame Veikoso (Pita McComber 76), 1 Setefano Savuoca
Not Used: Anare Bana
Coach: Ifereimi Tawake
Tries: Waqabaca (2), Vilitati; Conversions: Satini (2), Bosenawai; Pen goal: Bosenawai

Colonial Man of the Match: Sailosi Rabonaqica (Sharks)

Scoring Sequence (Highlanders' scores shown first):
2min – TRY SHARKS, Vilitati, conversion Bosenawai – 0-7
10min – PEN GOAL HIGHLANDERS, Nawalu – 3-7
19min – TRY HIGHLANDERS, Ratu, conversion Nawalu – 10-7
26min – PEN GOAL SHARKS, Satini (missed) – 10-7
32min – PEN GOAL HIGHLANDERS, Nawalu – 13-7
39min – TRY HIGHLANDERS, Osbourne, conversion Nawalu – 20-7
Half-time
47min – TRY SHARKS, Waqabaca, conversion Satini – 20-14
57min – TRY SHARKS, Waqabaca, conversion Satini – 20-21
67min – PEN GOAL HIGHLANDERS, Soso (missed) – 20-21
70min – PEN GOAL SHARKS, Satini – 20-24
Full-time

U20s:
Highlanders 33 Sharks 17 (h-t: 11-17)