The Minister for Education, Aseri Radrodro, has instructed the Fiji Secondary School Rugby Union (FSSRU) to allow the Bucalevu Secondary School Under-17 team to compete in the Vodafone Deans national quarter-finals this weekend. The Taveuni-based school faced disqualification after Nabua Secondary School lodged an official complaint following their loss to Bucalevu in a playoff match at Subrail Park, Labasa, on July 27.
Bucalevu Secondary School narrowly won that match 21-20, securing a place in the upcoming quarter-finals. However, the FSSRU disqualified them based on allegations that a player from their Under-16 squad had also participated in the Under-17 team, violating competition rules.
In the wake of the disqualification, NSS is set to compete against Ratu Kadavulevu School at 11 am on Saturday. Meanwhile, the defending under-17 champions, Mahatma Gandhi Memorial School, have been eliminated from the competition this year.
According to section 10 of the FSSRU Terms of Participation, a player may not represent two teams from the same school during the Vodafone FSSRU Super Deans Championship in one season. FSSRU officials are responsible for verifying student information submitted at the beginning of the season to prevent discrepancies.
Minister Radrodro confirmed his directive, emphasizing that Bucalevu won their match legitimately and therefore deserves to participate in the competition. He stated that he has directed the Permanent Secretary to inform FSSRU executives that the match results must be upheld.
FSSRU president Jone Kanalagi was unavailable for comment, as he was in a meeting with the Permanent Secretary. Later attempts to contact him were unsuccessful. The Permanent Secretary, Selina Kuruleca, declined to comment when approached for a response.