A new men’s champion will emerge at the Fiji Bitter Labasa 7s this Saturday at Subrail Park, as the Devo Babas will not compete in this year’s event. The tournament features 32 men’s teams split into eight pools of four, following the Babas’ absence from recent legs of the ongoing Fiji Bitter 7s series, including the Yalovata 7s in Ovalau and the Wairiki 7s on Taveuni.
The Devo Babas, who clinched the Labasa edition of the series last year after a thrilling 17-12 victory over Wardens Gold, will not defend their title this time. This opens up the field for other contenders eager to claim the championship.
The teams are organized into various pools, with notable lineups including Pool A featuring Service Rugby, BLK Lavidi Brothers, Marist Rugby, and Valeni Brothers, while Pool B showcases Army Green, Nabouwalu Selection, Roots Exile, and Clickex Veilomani. The tournament kicks off tomorrow.
In the women’s division, the tournament will also be filled with excitement. Eight teams are set to compete, with the Ezers looking to defend their title after a strong performance last year, where they triumphed over Tagimoucia Ranadi with a score of 21-10. New entrants like Loloma Heights demonstrate the competitive spirit of this year’s contest.
The under-21 competition includes five pools with 20 teams, featuring last year’s champions Aqua Pro Savuiqali, who won the cup final against Nasekula Blues. They will be back to contest their title against strong teams, including Fiji Seasalt Taveuni Selection, which recently emerged victorious in the Wairiki 7s U21 competition.
Overall, this year’s Fiji Bitter Labasa 7s promises an exhilarating display of rugby talent, showcasing both seasoned teams and hopeful newcomers, as they all strive for victory in their respective categories. The event is set to not only entertain but also foster the growing passion for rugby in the community.