The guidance of former Flying Fijians forwards coach Senirusi Seruvakula played a crucial role in Queen Victoria School’s 27-13 victory over Nasinu Secondary School in the Vodafone Deans Trophy final. This was highlighted by QVS Under-18 head coach Josaia Waiwalu during a statement given to SUNsports on Saturday night.
Waiwalu noted, “He (Seruvakula) is our technical coach and the best coach in the Pacific right now. We are learning a lot from him, especially since he is an alumnus of the school. We are grateful to have him with us.”
Earlier this year, Seruvakula was considered for the head coach position of the Flying Fijians. He previously led the Fijian Drua to victory in the Australia National Rugby Championship in 2018 and was also the coach of the Fiji women’s rugby team during the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2022, where they triumphed over South Africa 21-17. Last year, he coached the Flying Fijians as they reached the quarterfinals at the Rugby World Cup.
Waiwalu mentioned that the team was well-prepared to defend the Deans Trophy against a strong competitor. He emphasized that their primary strategy leading up to the final was to maintain possession, which ultimately proved successful.
“We discussed having faith at the start of the year, and we’ve finally seen the results of that,” he remarked. Waiwalu also pointed out that the team consists of students from various backgrounds, stating, “We play for one another. Many of us come from challenging situations, and we have developed a close bond throughout this season.”
He added that the victory is particularly significant for QVS, as this marks their 25th title win. “The Deans Trophy belongs to the Tailevu schools,” Waiwalu commented.
In a related note, QVS captain and first-five eighth Anare Tabakaucoro expressed his ambition to advance his rugby career, stating, “My goal is to play for the (Fijian) Drua. I want to pursue a professional career while remaining in Fiji to be close to my mother.” Tabakaucoro played a vital role in the final, demonstrating composure and control throughout the match.
“This is my last year, and I want to give back to the school. Our parents have been incredibly inspiring. Many of us have been raised by single parents, and we dedicate this win to them,” he concluded.