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. QVS Under-18 head coach Josaia Waiwalu shared this information with SUNsports on Saturday night.
Waiwalu described Seruvakula as the team’s technical coach and remarked on his expertise, stating, “He is the best coach in the Pacific at the moment. We are learning a lot from him as he is also an alumnus of the school. We are grateful to have him on the team.”
Earlier this year, Seruvakula was shortlisted for the Flying Fijians head coaching position. He previously led the Fijian Drua to victory in the Australia National Rugby Championship in 2018 and coached the Fiji women’s rugby team at the 2022 Women’s Rugby World Cup, where they achieved a notable win against South Africa.
Waiwalu emphasized the team was well-prepared to defend the Deans Trophy against a strong opponent, highlighting that their strategy focused on maintaining possession, which proved effective. “We talked about faith at the start of the year, and we’ve finally witnessed that,” he said.
He noted that the team comprises students from diverse backgrounds, stating, “We play for one another, as there are many unfortunate stories, and we formed a bond to play this season for each other.” This victory is particularly significant for QVS, marking their 25th win of the Deans Trophy.
In another development, QVS captain and first-five eighth Anare Tabakaucoro expressed his aspirations for the future, aiming to play for the Fijian Drua. “I want to play (professionally) and stay in Fiji to be close to my mother,” he shared, reflecting on his important contributions during the final.
“This is my last year, and I want to give back to the school. Our parents have been very inspirational. Most of us (players) were raised single-handedly, and we, as a team, dedicate this win to them.”