The Naitasiri rugby team lives with high hopes that Tailevu will succumb to Digicel Cup losses in the next two weekends in order to keep their hopes alive in the Fiji Rugby Union-sanctioned competition.

NRU secretary Viliame Kanarabua said his side has a very thin chance of qualifying for the Cup semifinals after 10 rounds.

Naitasiri sits on 5th spot from winning four matches after 10 outings behind Farebrother Trophy holders Tailevu.

They have lost six of their matches in the season.

“We have a very slim chance of qualifying for the semifinals. It will be tough but we are not giving up hope yet,” Kanatabua added.

The Hillmen keep their fingers crossed that the formidable Tailevu pack would crumble under Ovalau pressure at Nasau Park in Levuka today.

“If Tailevu losses their next two matches then we might have a hair line entry into the semifinals.”

Naitasiri on the other hand will have to completely destroy Navosa at Vatureba Park today in order to keep their chances alive.

“It will be very, very hard because even if we beat Navosa by a bonus point and also with a very huge margin, our fate still rests on the hands of Tailevu. They are in top form and they proved that by beating Nadroga. Even if they lose, they will still have a semifinal berth because they have a match against Nadi at hand.”

Tailevu coach Inoke Male said Tailevu is now fighting for a home semifinal spot to boost their chances in winning the Cup.

“We have qualified for the semifinals and what we are going to do now is to try and win a home semifinal. We will beat Ovalau but for Naitasiri, we are sorry that we will not allow to be defeated this weekend,” Male said.

The Tailevu versus Ovalau match kicks off at 3pm at Nasau Park this afternoon.

Other fixtures;

Saturday, Aug 30: Nadi vs Namosi: Prince Charles Park, Navosa vs Naitasiri: Vatureba Park, Northland vs Tavua: Gatward Park, Ovalau vs Tailevu: Nasau Park, Suva vs Rewa: National Stadium.

Sept 6: Nadi vs Tailevu. Sept 13: semifinals, Sept 20: main final.

Team lists:

Friday, August 29: Nadroga v Lautoka, Lawaqa Park, Sigatoka, Referee: Samuela Tuidraki. Kick-off: 7pm

NADROGA: 15 Neumi Vatoga, 14 Maikeli Mocetadra, 13 Epeli Vuicuvu, 12 Jimi Mule, 11 Aisea Raitala, 10 Kaminieli Neiqisa, 9 Seru Naqasima, 8 Iliesa Ratuva, 7 Semesa Gonevou, 6 Filipe Kuruvoli, 5 Sairusi Matava, 4 Samu Goneva, 3 Apisai Turukawa, 2 Seremaia Naureure, 1 Tiko Matawalu
Reserves: Bill Gadolo, Niko Kororua, Manoa Tamaya, Josefa Nagata, Emosi Vucago, Jonetani Ralulu, Maika Koroi

LAUTOKA: 15 Mika Ratuvou, 14 Watekini Vunisa, 13 Eremasi Matamoka, 12 Setariki Ritova, 11 Watisoni Votu, 10 Rusiate Rokotavo, 9 Marika Lasaqa, 8 Timoci Vuadreu, 7 Jolame Bera, 6 Biu Rovala, 5 Joe Yalimaitoga, 4 Ifereimi Naruma, 3 Kalaveti Tawake, 2 Pauliasi Rokosuka, 1 Saiyasi Navunitale
Reserves: Paulo Cata, Apenisa Natabua, Soko Ratudradra, Sikeli Nasilasila, Taniela Naiceru, Bill Wilson, Orisi Elliot

Saturday, August 30: Nadi v Namosi, Prince Charles Park, Nadi. Referee: Takelo Savou. Kick-off: 3pm

NADI: 15 Aseli Driu (capt), 14 Sionasa Vunisa, 13 Tevita Latianara, 12 Vuniani Bari, 11 Eseroma Naba, 10 Vereniki Goneva, 9 Aporosa Vata, 8 Aca Bibi, 7 Joeli Lotawa, 6 Isei Lewaqai, 5 Simione Tora, 4 Turuva Lumelume, 3 Ravuama Samo, 2 Aseri Buli, 1 Viliame Seuseu
Reserves: Lorima Vueti, John Jackson, Viliame Ratute, Kelepi Ketedromo, Semi Keli, Sunia Vata, Taniela Driu

NAMOSI: 15 Malakai Saudromi, 14 Aisake Batikado, 13 Lasaro Turagadrau, 12 Jimilai Waqanidrola, 11 Koroi Qio, 10 Semesa Takirua, 9 Marika Ralagi, 8 Vilivo Nariva, 7 Saviri Nagata (capt), 6 Simione Mekemeke, 5 Lorima Muakalou, 4 Elia Ravumaidama, 3 Senivalati Kawai, 2 Isaia Saulo, 1 Vodo Ravu
Reserves: Jone Baleisuva, Iokobo Bose, Malakai Koroi, Jeke Gotegote, Kami Ulavucu, Mosese Tikoduadua, Sowane Waqanidrola.

Navosa v Naitasiri, Vatureba Park, Navosa. Referee: Napolioni Locoloco. Kick-off: 3pm.

NAVOSA: 15 Kaveni Nayava, 14 Joe Vatureba, 13 Iveri Lavo, 12 Peni Tiko 11 Kini Naovasi, 10 Jaoji Dakuvula, 9 Eparama Yaya, 8 Nasoni Tonove, 7 Waisale Tobuwa, 6 Filipe Labalaba, 5 Malaka K, 4 Inoke Savura, 3 Peni Ranitu, 2 TAniela Vatunicoko, 1 Necani Baivatu
Reserves: Luke Salaba, Alipate Nagata, Timoci Mataitoga, Sireli Vulaono, Apisai Vatureba, Viliame Torosi, Junior Kaluteba

NAITASIRI: 15 Sitiveni Vatuvoka, 14 Timoci Sinate, 13 Jese Rokobuli, 12 Manasa Bola, 11 Mosese Luveitasau, 10 Rupeni Luveniyali, 9 Waisale Vatuvoka, 8 Apisai Rinamalo, 7 Isei Erenavula, 6 Jokini Sivo, 5 Apisalome Ratuniyarawa, 4 Ofa Unaloto, 3 Sakeo Latianara, 2 Amino Rasekaseka, 1 Epeli Delasau
Reserves: Eparama Turaga, Maseikula Gaunavou, Sekove Vuniwaqa, Sekove Masoi, Peni Baseilala, Jone Luvuni, Patemo Muavesi

Northland v Tavua, Gatward Park, Korovou. Referee: Peni Vesikula. Kick-off: 30pm

NORTHLAND: 15 Sailasa Leva, 14 Vereniki Ranuve, 13 Isake Katonibau, 12 Ilaitia Rokotacoko, 11 Atunaisa Vodovodo, 10 Nacanieli Nabobo, 9 Sailasa Vasua, 8 Sefanaia Bogi, 7 Rosa Raravisa, 6 Lote Leva, 5 Benedito Rokoleva, 4 Joveci Kalou, 3 Banuve Dretiverata, 2 Isireli Ledua, 1 Apisai Vere
Reserves: Akariva Tiniciwaciwa, Josua Kaloutani, Vereniki Ranuve, Vilimoni Malorua, Ilaseri Delai, Norani Vunakece, Simione Cavasiga

TAVUA: 15 Semi Ga, 14 Savenaca Dau, 13 Mesulame Vana, 12 Waisake Gaugau, 11 Rusiate Matai, 10 Tevita Naroyasi, 9 Isei Matai, 8 Jope Kavoa, 7 Eroni Qasi, 6 Siona Baleiwai, 5 Tevita Nodrakoro, 4 Setariki Nakauta, 3 Savenaca Driu (capt), 2 Jotame Tabua, 1 Iveri Momo
Reserves: Akariva Koroi, Apisalome Take, Malakai Bari, Epeli Vuniwaqa, Atunaisa Liva, Vilikesa Ligica, Naba Uluidalomo

Ovalau v Tailevu, Nasau Park, Ovalau. Referee: Misaele Petero. Kick-off: 3pm.

OVALAU: 15 Iowane Varani, 14 Luke Daveta, 13 Marika Niumata, 12 Joeli Bola, 11 Neumi Lagilagi, 10 Joseva Sesevu, 9 Netani Koroi, 8 Taniela Varamusu, 7 Sowani Saunitoga, 6 Apenisa Qiri, 5 Mesulame Siga, 4 Peteriko Cula, 3 Jemesa Cavalevu, 2 Maciu Roko (capt), 1 Viliame Rokogu
Reserves: Luke Moce, Epeli Tamani, Canieli Poese, Jone Saqanivalu, Josua Ketenilagi, Paula Waqakalou, Sovita Turagabeci

TAILEVU: 15 Eneri Kuru, 14 Tikiko Uluiviti, 13 Kalivati Cavuilati, 12 Epeli Ruivadra, 10 James Vuli, 9 Nemia Kenatale, 8 Jone Kaila (capt), 7 Epeli Drakanimate, 6 Wate Vocevoce, 5 Uraia Tuidama, 4 Senitiki Tuivuya, 3 Remesio Ravuiwasa, 2 Saula Qalomai, 1 Emosi Tagivakatini
Reserves: Mosese Sela, Sunia Sevu, Josateki Toroca, Maikali Leweni, Jonacani Iranavanua, Livai Naivogo, Sikeli Vuruna

Suva v Rewa, National Stadium, Suva. Referee: Joeli Tubu. Kick-off: 3pm

SUVA: 15 Waisele Beci, 14 Jone Kuruduadua, 13 Manueli Gade, 12 Rusiate Racei, 11 Osea Kolinisau, 10 Semiti Raikuna, 9 Lote Degei, 8 Samu Kunanitu, 7 Samu Bolatagane (capt), 6 Mitieli Cama, 5 Marika Roqica, 4 Sailasa Bolatagici, 3 Buinimasi Bese, 2 Dan Ligairi, 1 Rusiate Bakani
Reserves: Toko Ma’ata, Iliesa Lutumailagi, Alipate Bete, Manasa Uluiviti, Anare Vatukatakata, Asivorosi Tarakinikini, Ilisoni Qio

REWA: 15 Suli Wainivanua, 14 Savenaca Bulivakacegu, 13 Esala Dri, 12 Apisai Masikerei, 11 Suliasi Vatulawa, 10 Vetaia Rokosuka, 9 Jo Tukana, 8 Taniela Bukateci, 7 Esala Vakatekau, 6 Niko Nawatu, 5 Savenaca Volau, 4 Semi Saulaki, 3 Tevita Deve (capt), 2 Jobe Sakealevu, 1 Inoke Leweni
Reserves: Alfred Vusonitokalau, Sanaila Semi, Mosese Vatunitu, Savenaca Volau, Ulaiasi Rabesa, Lote Matetani, Leone Limalevu

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