Namosi Wins Subrails Marama Cup Final Against Suva

In a pulsating and fiercely contested final, Namosi have been crowned the new champions of the Subrails Marama Cup, dethroning the defending champions Suva 34-24 in a thrilling encounter at HFC Bank Stadium in Laucala Bay today.

The match was a showcase of provincial women’s rugby at its finest, with both teams trading blows in a high-scoring affair that kept fans on the edge of their seats until the final whistle.

Suva started the stronger of the two sides, with flanker Teresia Mateu crossing for a try just seven minutes into the match. A successful conversion from Livia Nadei gave the defending champions an early 7-0 lead.

However, Namosi responded with characteristic ferocity. Just two minutes later, lock Rusila Nagasau powered over for a try, converted by Viniana Riwai, to level the score. The momentum continued to swing as Namosi fullback Ivamere Rokowati scored a try in the 23rd minute, redeeming herself after an earlier missed penalty kick.

Suva’s flyhalf briefly restored order with a try and conversion in the 33rd minute, but Namosi finished the half with a devastating flurry. Rokowati scored her second try, and just before the break, inside center Josifini Neihamu crossed the line, with Riwai adding the extras to send Namosi into halftime with a commanding 24-14 lead.

The second half saw Suva fight valiantly to close the gap. A try from Livia Naidei in the 50th minute gave them hope, but Namosi consistently had an answer. Further tries from Filomena Niulele and Miliana Duikoro extended Namosi’s lead, effectively sealing the victory despite a late consolation try from Suva’s Varitema Adi.

The final whistle confirmed a historic 34-24 win for Namosi, sparking wild celebrations among players and supporters.

After the match, an elated Namosi coach, Maraia Kasanita, reflected on a challenging season that made the victory all the sweeter.

“It was a long journey for us this season,” Kasanita shared. “We had our ups and downs along the way, losing three times in the round-robin stages. But we worked on our shortfalls from those losses and made amends in the final stages.”

She highlighted the significance of their playoff path, stating, “We worked hard to get to the finals, and the road was not going to be easy. It just so happened that we met the three teams we lost to again in the season – we met Nadi in the quarter-finals, Nasinu in the semi-finals, and today Suva in the Grand Finals.”

Despite the defeat, Suva coach Tavaita Rowati was gracious in defeat and already looking to the future.

She congratulated Namosi “on a job well done” but emphasized that this year was part of a larger plan for Suva rugby.

“We talked about rebuilding as this is a rebuilding year after a three-year program,” Rowati said. “I’m really proud of the performance today and hats off to Namosi who came out hungry. The game could’ve gone either way, and that was a steppingstone in our program as we build these young girls for the future of Suva Rugby.”

The victory marks a new chapter in Fijian women’s rugby, with Namosi etching their name on the Marama Cup and setting the stage for an exciting 2026 season.