The under-17 team from Nabua Secondary School (NSS) is eager to make a statement as they prepare to face Ratu Kadavulevu School (RKS) in the quarter-finals of the Fiji Secondary Schools Rugby Vodafone Deans competition this Saturday.
NSS believed their tournament journey was over following a narrow 21-20 defeat to Bucalevu Secondary School in the playoffs at Subrail Park. However, the NSS squad was later declared the winners after Bucalevu was found to have fielded an ineligible player.
Coach Inoke Loaloa emphasized that his team has something to prove this weekend. “Everyone who watched the game against Bucalevu saw we deserved to win, especially after losing a player to a red card within three minutes and another to a yellow card shortly after,” he stated. He has urged his players to dispel any negative feedback they have received on social media regarding their qualification.
Loaloa acknowledged the challenge posed by RKS, which narrowly lost the under-17 final to Mahatma Gandhi Memorial High School last year by a point. He advised his players not to be intimidated by the RKS name, insisting they should stick to their game plan.
“If the boys execute what we’ve been practicing in training, I’m confident we can defeat any team,” he added.
The match between Nabua Secondary School and RKS is scheduled for 11:55 AM at Buckhurst Ground.
Additionally, in the under-18 quarter-finals taking place at HFC Bank Stadium, Nasinu Secondary will compete against Tailevu North College at 11:40 AM, RKS will face Cuvu College at 1:05 PM, Mahatma Gandhi Memorial High School will go up against Ratu Navula College at 2:30 PM, and Queen Victoria School will take on Marist Brothers High School at 3:55 PM.