The guidance of former Flying Fijians forwards coach Senirusi Seruvakula was pivotal in Queen Victoria School’s 27-13 victory over Nasinu Secondary School in the Vodafone Deans Trophy final. This insight was shared with SUNsports by QVS Under-18 head coach Josaia Waiwalu on Saturday evening.
Waiwalu acknowledged Seruvakula’s role, stating, “He is our technical coach. He is currently the best coach in the Pacific, and we have been learning a lot from him, especially since he is an alumnus of the school. We are grateful to have him on our team.”
Earlier this year, Seruvakula was considered for the head coach position for the Flying Fijians. 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 triumphed over South Africa 21-17. He also served as the forwards coach for the Flying Fijians during the last Rugby World Cup, where the team reached the quarterfinals.
Waiwalu noted that they prepared thoroughly to defend the Deans Trophy against a strong opponent. The team focused on maintaining possession throughout the week, a strategy that proved successful. He emphasized the importance of faith, stating, “We talked about faith from the start of the year and we’ve finally witnessed that.”
The team comprises students from various backgrounds, and Waiwalu highlighted the bond they developed, saying, “We play for one another as there are many unfortunate stories among us, and we formed a bond this season to play for each other.” He also remarked that this victory holds significant meaning for QVS, marking the 25th time they have claimed the trophy.
QVS captain and first-five eighth Anare Tabakaucoro expressed his aspirations to further his rugby career, saying, “My plan is to play for the (Fijian) Drua. I want to play professionally and stay in Fiji to be close to my mother.” In the final, Tabakaucoro played a crucial role, demonstrating composure and effective game management. He conveyed his desire to give back to the school in his final year, stating, “Our parents have been very inspirational. Most of us are raised single-handedly, and as a team, we dedicate this win to them.”