New developments have emerged regarding the Vodafone Super Deans as the national quarter-finals approach this Saturday.
On Wednesday, Education Minister Aseri Radrodro instructed his permanent secretary, Selina Kuruleca, to convey a directive to the Fiji Secondary Schools Rugby Union concerning the Bucalevu Secondary School under-17 team.
“The game has been played and won by Bucalevu, so they have to adhere to the results of the game,” Radrodro stated. Bucalevu had triumphed over Nabua Secondary School with a close score of 21-20 in a U17 playoff on July 27 at Subrail Park in Labasa.
However, Nabua lodged a complaint within 48 hours of their defeat, alleging that Bucalevu had fielded an unregistered player during the match. In response, the FSSRU ruled in favor of Nabua, awarding them the win and a spot in the quarter-finals due to Bucalevu’s violation of FSSRU participation terms, which prohibit a player from representing two teams from the same school within a single season.
Consequently, Bucalevu lost its chance to compete in the national quarter-finals, prompting mixed reactions on social media about the FSSRU’s format and fairness.
When contacted for comment, FSSRU vice-president Savenaca Muamua stated that the ruling remains unchanged according to the tournament’s terms of participation. “We saw the directive through the media, we have no say in it, and we are yet to receive anything in writing,” he explained.
When asked if Nabua is still set for the quarter-finals, Muamua responded, “Yes, fairly and through the laws of the game.” He noted that the FSSRU’s regulations align with those of the Fiji Rugby Union and World Rugby.