The Kaliova Bulai-captained Ba Methodist High School Under-19 team is determined to excel in the Western Secondary Schools Rugby Deans Championship quarterfinal, which will take place at Prince Charles Park, Nadi, tomorrow.
They will face Sigatoka Valley Secondary School in a highly anticipated match.
Under the guidance of coach Paula Tuiloma, the team recently dominated Nasau Secondary School with a 31-3 victory in the Ba/Tavua/Ra Zone final at Garvey Park, Tavua, last Saturday.
Many players from this team were part of the school’s U18 sevens rugby team, which narrowly lost to eventual winners Ratu Navula College with a score of 15-10 at the HFC Bank Stadium during the Term One holidays.
“This is the first time we are fielding three teams and I hope that the Under-19 side makes an impact,” stated David King Wise, PEMAC head of the department. “The team looks in top form, with the boys’ morale being boosted to the fullest,” he added.
The team will lean on key players such as prop Bulai, full-back Pio Bosco Tikoisuva (Jnr), and winger Petero Dauniseka to lead them to victory.
U16 Grade
The Josateki Naliva-captained U16 team will confront Sigatoka Methodist College in the quarterfinals.
“This team is composed of only 16 boys who were left out from the other teams, and it has performed exceptionally well. They were undefeated in the zone and hope to advance beyond the quarters,” Wise mentioned.
Coached by Thomas Vuto, the team features dynamic flankers Rupeni Nailatikau and Asivorosi Nahiga, who are expected to dominate in the breakdowns.
U15 Grade
The Osea Naura-led U15 team will compete against Cuvu College.
“This is the same group of boys that made history earlier this year by winning the National Secondary Schools Rugby League Under-15 grade final,” Wise highlighted.
Key players in the team include Seruvi Vakalolo, Semi Sasai, and Eneri Saunivalu.
Tomorrow’s Draws:
U15: Natabua High School vs. Swami Vivekananda College, Sigatoka Methodist College vs. AD Patel, Ba Methodist vs. Cuvu College, Ratu Navula College vs. Ba Provincial Freebird
U16: Ba Provincial Freebird vs. Swami Vivekananda College, Cuvu College vs. Ra High School, Ba Methodist High vs. Sigatoka Methodist College
U17: Xavier College vs. Korovuto College, Sigatoka Valley Secondary School vs. AD Patel, Natabua High vs. Nadi Muslim College, Ratu Navula College vs. St Thomas High School
Under-19: Ba Methodist vs. Sigatoka Valley Secondary School, Nasikawa Vision College vs. Nasau Secondary School, Ratu Navula College vs. Drasa Secondary School, Ba Provincial Freebird Institute vs. Sigatoka Andra Sangam College
U14: Ratu Navula College vs. Ra High School
U18 Pool Plays: Cuvu College vs. Ratu Navula College