The 2025 Vodafone Deans Trophy Under-18 final is set to be a red-letter day as Nasinu Secondary School square off with Ratu Kadavulevu School at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva, with kickoff scheduled for 5:30pm. The showcase promises a memorable clash between two of Fiji’s powerhouse rugby programs as they chase the country’s premier school rugby trophy.
Nasinu are back in the grand final for the second straight year, determined to break through for their first Deans U18 title. RKS, a school with a storied Deans legacy, arrive as the team to beat. They boast 22 Deans trophies and have shared the title on five occasions, reinforcing why they are often viewed as the “dream team” of Fiji school rugby. The Delainakaikai-based squad also carries recent momentum, having been undefeated across younger age-group titles since 2022, including U15 in 2022, U16 in 2023, and U17 last year. This combination of depth, experience and recent winning culture makes RKS particularly formidable in this final.
Nasinu’s path to the final has been dramatic and historic. The side have captured attention for turning around a long drought to reach the U18 decider, including a standout semi-final performance against Cuvu College that showcased their growing maturity and tactical discipline. Their progress has been accelerated by strong leadership and a rising pipeline of talent, with Nasinu’s supporters urged to flood the stands in Suva to back their youngsters in blue.
Head coach Mika Yasiyasi has already helped reshape Nasinu’s approach, stressing focus, fitness, and precision. “After the semi-finals, we went back to the drawing board and worked on our weaknesses,” Yasiyasi said after their win over Cuvu. “We do not have the size, so we’ve had to master our set-piece and maintain fitness to stay competitive at this level.” Nasinu’s ascent has also been buoyed by the broader resurgence of Fiji’s school rugby, including involvement from former national players and coaches who have been mentoring and guiding the young teams.
RKS, by contrast, arrive on the back of a dominant semi-final showing. They knocked off Queen Victoria School’s usual challenge in a high-quality run to the final, extending their recent success across multiple age groups. The squad is led by a seasoned group that has delivered at set-piece, breakdown, and discipline, with confident leadership from captain Lemeki Ravukivuki and others who have grown through RKS’s strong development system. The club’s sustained success and depth in personnel have consistently placed them at the forefront of Fiji school rugby.
Last season’s momentum aside, this final offers Nasinu a genuine chance to rewrite history and claim the Deans trophy for the first time. The clash also underlines the ongoing development pathways in Fiji rugby, where former internationals remain involved at club and school levels, enriching the mentorship and coaching landscape for the next generation.
What to watch for
– Set-piece and discipline: RKS’s strength in structured play versus Nasinu’s focus on fitness and pace out wide.
– Leadership on the field: Ravukivuki and other RKS leaders versus Nasinu’s rising young captains who have grown under new coaching.
– Momentum and momentum shifts: Nasinu’s quarter-final and semi-final momentum versus RKS’s proven track record in big-pressure games.
– Standout players to follow: look for playmakers who have driven Nasinu’s climb this season and the key forwards who have powered RKS’s strong set-piece.
– Mentorship impact: the influence of ex-national players and coaches on Nasinu’s development pathway and on-field decisions.
A positive takeaway from this season’s Deans run is the growing role of former Fiji internationals in guiding the next generation, signaling a healthy pathway to higher levels of rugby beyond schoolboy football. No matter the result, the Nasinu vs. RKS final presents a compelling narrative about ambition, tradition, and the future of Fiji’s rugby talents.
In the broader context, the 2025 Deans final reinforces why Fiji’s school competition remains a vital proving ground for young players, offering a platform where resilience, teamwork, and elite coaching converge to shape the country’s rugby prospects for years to come. This final is not just about one trophy; it’s about the continued growth of Fiji’s rugby ecosystem and the opportunities it creates for aspiring players and coaches alike.
Leave a comment