A new champion will rise in the men’s category at the Fiji Bitter Labasa 7s this Saturday at Subrail Park, as the Devo Babas will not be participating in this year’s tournament. With 32 men’s teams divided into eight pools of four, the absence of the Babas follows their omission from several recent legs of the Fiji Bitter 7s series, including the Yalovata 7s in Ovalau and the Wairiki 7s on Taveuni.
The Devo Babas, who claimed the Labasa title last year with a nail-biting 17-12 victory over Wardens Gold, will not be defending their crown, creating an open field for other challengers eager to seize the championship. Among the notable teams in Pool A are Service Rugby, BLK Lavidi Brothers, Marist Rugby, and Valeni Brothers, while Pool B features Army Green, Nabouwalu Selection, Roots Exile, and Clickex Veilomani. The tournament is set to kick off tomorrow.
The women’s category is also gearing up for an exciting showcase, with eight teams competing for glory. The defending champions, the Ezers, are aiming to retain their title after a strong performance last year where they defeated Tagimoucia Ranadi with a score of 21-10. New participants such as Loloma Heights underscore the competitive spirit of this year’s tournament.
In the under-21 division, five pools will host 20 teams, and last year’s champions Aqua Pro Savuiqali return to defend their title against formidable opponents, including Fiji Seasalt Taveuni Selection, who recently triumphed in the Wairiki 7s U21 competition.
The 2023 Fiji Bitter Labasa 7s is poised to offer an exciting display of rugby talent, featuring both seasoned teams and ambitious newcomers. This event not only aims to entertain but also to further cultivate the community’s passion for rugby, promising a thrilling weekend for all involved.