The Fiji Secondary Schools Vodafone Super Deans tournament has ignited debate over its fairness, particularly regarding the participation rules affecting teams from the Central and Eastern divisions.
The main concern is the exclusion of third-place teams from competing again with winning schools from the North last weekend at Subrail Park in Labasa to secure a spot in the quarter-finals.
Tournament director and Fiji Secondary Schools Rugby Union representative Biu Colati explained that the third-place teams from the Central and Eastern divisions have historically won the competitions.
“Marist Brothers were winners of the Dean’s competition two years ago,” he stated.
“Similarly, Tailevu North came third in the Eastern competition. They have records of winning the Deans.”
When asked why the winners from the North were not given a spot in the quarter-finals after their victory, Colati said that the competing teams from the North did not lose; they were third-place finishers.
“The schools that lose at the play-offs did not come across. Suva Grammar did not come, Marist Brothers, the winners, are here.”
He added that if Marist Brothers High School had lost in the playoffs last week, Bua Central College would have secured a spot in the quarter-finals.
“They are bringing their third position to be played off in the North.”
The quarter-finals of the national Deans will be held at the HFC Bank Stadium in Laucala Bay, Suva, next Saturday.