It will be a repeat of last year’s grand final as South Pacific Oil Limited (SPOL) Avaiki Rugby Club (RC) face Henderson Hammerhead Sharks RC in the 2025 Honiara Rugby Union Association (HRUA) Men’s 15s Premier Championship decider.
Both sides dominated throughout the season and carried that momentum into the knockout stages.
Defending champions Avaiki were the first to book their place in the final, edging a determined Tavuli Giants side 17-14 on Thursday.
Avaiki stormed to a 17-7 halftime lead but were forced to dig deep as the Giants mounted a strong second-half comeback. The holders then held firm until the final whistle to secure their spot.
Their opponents, the Hammerheads, claimed their berth in dramatic fashion with a 20-19 victory over Usotasi Leopards RC in Friday’s semifinal at Town Ground Rugby Stadium.
The 2024 runner-ups led 17-8 at halftime, but the Leopards roared back to snatch a 19-18 lead in the dying stages.
However, Captain Bobby Sade held his nerve, slotting a decisive penalty in the final seconds to seal his side’s passage to the grand final.
After falling 17-10 to Avaiki in last year’s grand final, the Hammerheads are determined to reclaim the title they last lifted in 2022.
The 2025 HRUA Men’s 15s Championship grand final kicks off at 4pm on Thursday, August 28, while the third-place playoff will be held a day earlier, on Wednesday, August 27.
By TIMOTHY INIFIRI JNR
Solomon Star, Honiara
