The Lami High School Under-19 rugby team remained unfazed by the criticisms and allegations that surrounded them during the Vodafone Deans Trophy finals. This resilience was highlighted by head coach Beniamino Kakaivalu following their narrow victory over Queen Victoria School, winning the U19 final 20-19 at HFC Bank Stadium in Suva.
Kakaivalu explained that the players managed to stay focused by maintaining a social media blackout, allowing them to concentrate on their performance and shield themselves from negativity. “It helps them focus on the task at hand and also takes away the negative energy,” he stated.
Reflecting on the future, Kakaivalu emphasized that this victory marks the beginning of broader aspirations. He mentioned plans to field an Under-18 team the following year to compete for more titles.
Recounting their journey, Kakaivalu, a former Suva rugby winger, acknowledged the challenges faced, including traveling to Vanua Levu for national qualifiers. The team triumphed over Dreketi Central College 24-21 to reach the national quarterfinals, where they caused an upset against Ratu Kadavulevu School with an 11-5 win and subsequently defeated Ratu Navula College 13-10 in the semi-finals.
“When we faced Ratu Kadavulevu School, I told the boys it’s just the name of the school that is big. Our boys fought with all their heart, and that was again evident today,” he said.