The draws for the semifinals of the Southern Zone Fiji Secondary Schools Rugby League competition have been confirmed after a series of hard-fought quarterfinals last week at Saint Marcellin’s grounds in Vatuwaqa. The last-four line-up across the under-15, under-17 and under-19 grades sets up a busy day of knockout rugby this Saturday, 28 March, when the semis are scheduled to be played at the same venue.
In the U15 grade Marist Brothers High School’s Stormers will meet Ratu Kadavulevu School’s Eels in what promises to be a tight opener. Marist Brothers earned their spot with a narrow 10-8 quarterfinal win over Ratu Simione Matanitobua College, while RKS advanced with a convincing 29-2 victory over Dudley High School. The second U15 semifinal pairs Nasinu Secondary School’s Panthers against Gospel High School’s Saints, both sides progressing through last week’s knockout round to set up a cross-town clash.
The U17 bracket also produced competitive quarterfinals and delivers two compelling semis. Lami High School’s Tigers will face the Lelean Memorial School Knights in the first U17 match, while RKS’s under-17 side will take on the Nasinu Secondary School Panthers in the second. Both fixtures represent significant tests for teams looking to build momentum into the final and are likely to showcase some of the region’s best schoolboy forwards and playmakers.
In the U19 grade the semifinals carry additional stakes. Defending champions Naitasiri Secondary School — the Warriors — will meet Queen Victoria School’s Knights in the opening U19 semi; that match doubles as Naitasiri’s defence of the Tanoa Challenge. The second U19 semifinal pits Ratu Kadavulevu School’s Eels against the in-form Nasinu Secondary School Panthers in the fixture designated as the Bati Challenge, where RKS will aim to extend an unbeaten run through the competition. The pairing of experienced Naitasiri and traditional power QVS against the hungry RKS and rising NSS highlights the competitive balance in this year’s U19 crop.
Quarterfinals were staged at Saint Marcellin’s grounds last week, producing the results that have shaped this weekend’s draws and underlining the intensity of the southern zone’s pathway to the national stage. Several of the schools involved — Marist Brothers, Lelean Memorial, Ratu Kadavulevu and Queen Victoria — are perennial contenders in Fiji’s secondary schools rugby scene, and the semifinals will be closely watched for players likely to push for selections at higher representative levels.
The semis on Saturday will determine the finalists in each grade; the winners will advance to contest the southern zone crowns, with the overall competition winners progressing toward national-level playoffs. Kick-off times for each age group have not been published in the draw notice, but organisers have confirmed all matches will be played at Saint Marcellin’s grounds in Vatuwaqa on 28 March. Further details on final fixtures and any broadcast arrangements are expected from the competition organisers in the coming days.
Leave a comment