Fiji’s Joji Nasova stars as Hyderabad take top spot in Rugby Premier League

Joji Nasova was named in the 2025 HSBC SVNS Series Dream Team after another stellar season and the Fijian has continued to fire in rugby sevens – lighting it up with an electric double for Hyderabad Heroes in their 19-12 win over Mumbai Dreamers.

Nasova has signed a two-year deal with the Fijian Drua in Super Rugby Pacific from next season, but there’s still plenty of work to be done in rugby’s shorter format, with India’s Rugby Premier League offering up three intriguing results on matchday six.

With a stacked Bengaluru Bravehearts side handing Chenni Bulls their first loss of the season, a shutout 26-nil result,  Nasova’s Heroes had an opportunity to take first spot on the standings later on at Andheri Sports Complex in Mumbai.

Eben Etzebeth over his excitement at having Lood de Jager back in the Bok mix

Eben Etzebeth over his excitement at having Lood de Jager back in the Bok mix

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Hyderabad were unbeaten from three matches and would extend their flawless record to 4-0 with a clinical seven-point win over Mumbai. The Dreamers remain at the bottom of the standings, still searching for their first win after five matches.

Referee Tetsuya Hirakawa awarded a penalty try late in the first quarter, as the Dreamers took a hard-fought lead. RPL has adopted a different approach to sevens, with teams playing four-minute quarters instead of the sport’s traditional seven-minute halves format.

Joji Nasova sending defenders to another realm with the step fake! 🤌#GMRRPL2025 #RugRugMeinRugby #RPL #MDvHH pic.twitter.com/QVTxfdrxgB

— Rugby Premier League (@RPLIndia) June 20, 2025

Javed Hussein, an Indian international, continued to score tries for fun in the RPL, crossing for a decisive score with the final play of the quarter. In the next period, Nasova stole the show, scoring two tries to give the Heroes a commanding lead.

Off a kick-off to start the second quarter, Nasova ran about 60 metres – beating one defender with an unforgiving left foot step – which gave Hyderabad the lead for the first time. Nasova scored another soon after, slicing through the Dreamers’ defensive line before racing away.

Among those that Nasova beat with that carry was Australia’s James Turner, who has been one of the standouts for that national team on the SVNS Series for a while now. Nasova put the ball down under the sticks, going to the top of the try-scorers list in the RPL this season.

Australia’s Henry Hutchison scored the only other try in this match, late in the third quarter, which set the stage for a thrilling fourth quarter. With Mumbai desperately chasing a win, they gave it everything, but it wasn’t to be as Hyderabad hung on.

The Heroes are now top on the standings with a 4-0 record, while Chennai are close behind with three wins from five matches – having lost one and drawn another. Bengaluru are third with a 3-1-1 record, Delhi is fourth with 2-1-1, and Kalinga are also winless going 0-1-4.

That sets up some significant fixtures on matchday seven, with Chennai and Bengaluru looking to take hold of second place on the ladder when they go head-to-head. Nasova’s Heroes will also take on the Dreamers for the second time in as many days.

In the third and final match of the day, Delhi Redz will take on Kalinga Black Tigers. The Black Tigers have a talented squad, including the likes of Perry Baker, Lucas Lacamp and Maurice Longbottom, and they’ll be eager to register their first win of the campaign.