Zagreb beats Makarska
Zagreb, October 4, 2025 – The Rugby Center Rudeš hosted an exciting Croatian Rugby League clash in which the home side, Rugby Club Zagreb, triumphed over the newly returned top-division team, Rugby Club Makarska, with a final score of 48–31.
After both clubs suffered defeats in the opening round — Zagreb against Mladost and Makarska against Split’s Nada — both teams entered this match hungry for their first points. The home side relied on a fast-paced game and strong individual skills, while the visitors counted on the experience of their seasoned players and the long-awaited arrival of foreign reinforcements.
Makarska started the match brilliantly.
The match started perfectly for Makarska. In the very first minute, Lusanda Xakwane intercepted a pass from the home side and touched down over the try line, with Aaron Jackson converting to give Makarska an early 7–0 lead. Zagreb responded quickly with a fine setup by young Šojić, whose try was converted by Vranešević to level the score at 7–7.
Jackson then restored Makarska’s lead with a penalty kick (7–10), but the hosts struck back immediately through the experienced Kostić to go up 12–10. However, the closing stages of the first half belonged to the visitors, as Xakwane and Majić added tries to establish a solid 24–12 advantage. Zagreb managed to narrow the gap just before halftime, with Vranešević scoring to make it 17–24.
Turnaround in the Second Half
Trener Bartolić je tijekom stanke posložio momčad i ispravio pogreške iz prvog dijela. Zagreb je u nastavku zaigralo svoju igru, a u 47. minuti Luka Ban je položio pokušaj koji je Vranešević pretvorio za izjednačenje (24:24). Samo tri minute kasnije, Kostanjšak je presjekao dodavanje Makarske, a Vranešević je opet bio precizan za vodstvo domaćih (31:24).
Zagreb’s comeback was made easier after Lovrić received a yellow card in the 54th minute for illegal play, leaving Makarska a man down. The home side made full use of the numerical advantage when Jeleč made an excellent catch and crossed the line for another try, extending the lead to 36–24.
Zagreb Dominates the Finish
Makarska refused to give up — Svaguša crossed the try line and Jackson converted to close the gap to 36–31 — but Zagreb raised the tempo in the final minutes. With tries from Šojić and captain Livaić, both converted by Vranešević, the hosts sealed a 48–31 victory and earned their first points of the season.
Nakon dva odigrana kola, Zagreb je na drugom mjestu ljestvice sa 6 bodova.
Congratulations to the players, coach, and coaching staff on a tremendous victory and their first points of the season!
With the national team break now ahead, the boys will have time to train hard and prepare for the continuation of the season.
Bab Šik!