Naitasiri Defends the Fortress: Highlands Heroes Retain Farebrother Trophy in Naluwai Thriller

It was a packed Naluwai Grounds in Naitasiri and it was just what both teams needed to drive them to victory with the cheering from the fans in black, white and red for Naitasiri and blue and white for the Suva based team.

The visitors from the Capital City showed courage and also grit to play infront of a vocal Naitasiri crowd that finally had the chance to host this important match as it was the final Inkk Farebrother Challenge for 2025 – the men from the highlands having being successful in retaining the Trophy through the provincial competition.

The men in blue and white performed execptional well and took the lead in the first half 11-7.

But you can’t count out the host Naitasiri who play at home who had the services of the likes of former French Centre Vereimi Vakatawa who played a vital role in punching through the Suva defence moving his home team forward in phases that eventually ended up in tries that had the Naitasiri fans roaring.

Naitasiri also had the likes of FIJI Water Flying Fijians Motikai Murray and Kavaia Tagivetaua who also had some strong runs for the defending champions of the Inkk Farebrother Cup.

For Suva who’ve been undefeated in the Skipper Cup competition, they were there to make a point and – and with the inclusion of Fiji 7s reps including Teri Tamani, Saki Siqila and Tira Welagi – the men in blue meant business.

But Naluwai was no easy feat – the sun drew its curtains and the hosts locked the final score at 27-25.