The team from Ba Methodist High School, captained by Kaliova Bulai, is determined to give their best in the Western Secondary Schools Rugby Deans Championship quarterfinal at Prince Charles Park, Nadi, tomorrow.
They will face Sigatoka Valley Secondary School in what promises to be an exciting match.
Coached by Paula Tuiloma, the team had a convincing win over Nasau Secondary School with a score of 31-3 in the Ba/Tavua/Ra Zone final held at Garvey Park, Tavua, last Saturday.
Many players from the current team also played for the school’s Under-18 sevens rugby team, which narrowly lost to Ratu Navula College 15-10 during the Term One holidays at the HFC Bank Stadium.
“This is the first time we are fielding three teams, and I hope the Under-19 side makes an impact,” said David King Wise, head of the Physical Education, Music, Art and Craft (PEMAC) department.
“The team looks in top form, with the boys’ morale being at its highest,” he added.
The team will count on key players like prop Kaliova Bulai, full-back Pio Bosco Tikoisuva (Jnr), and winger Petero Dauniseka.
In the Under-16 grade, the team captained by Josateki Naliva will compete against Sigatoka Methodist College in the quarterfinal.
“This team is made up of only 16 boys who weren’t selected for the other teams, and they have performed exceptionally well. They were unbeaten in their zone and aim to progress beyond the quarterfinals,” Wise said.
Coached by Thomas Vuto, the team also includes standout flankers Rupeni Nailatikau and Asivorosi Nahiga who will be crucial in the breakdowns.
In the Under-15 grade, the team led by captain Osea Naura will go up against Cuvu College.
“This same group of boys made history earlier this year by winning the National Secondary Schools Rugby League Under-15 grade final,” Wise noted.
The team also boasts notable players such as Seruvi Vakalolo, Semi Sasai, and Eneri Saunivalu.
Tomorrow’s match schedules are:
Under-15: Natabua High School vs Swami Vivekananda College, Sigatoka Methodist College vs AD Patel, Ba Methodist vs Cuvu College, Ratu Navula College vs Ba Provincial Freebird
Under-16: Ba Provincial Freebird vs Swami Vivekananda College, Cuvu College vs Ra High School, Ba Methodist vs Sigatoka Methodist College
Under-17: Xavier College vs Korovuto College, Sigatoka Valley Secondary School vs AD Patel, Natabua High vs Nadi Muslim College, Ratu Navula College vs St Thomas High School
Under-19: Ba Methodist vs Sigatoka Valley Secondary School, Nasikawa Vision College vs Nasau Secondary School, Ratu Navula College vs Drasa Secondary School, Ba Provincial Freebird Institute vs Sigatoka Andra Sangam College
Under-14: Ratu Navula College vs Ra High School
Under-18 pool play: Cuvu College vs Ratu Navula College
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