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 grand final. This was shared with SUNsports by QVS Under-18 head coach Josaia Waiwalu on Saturday night.
“He (Seruvakula) is our technical coach,” Waiwalu stated when discussing Seruvakula’s contributions. “He is currently the best coach in the Pacific, and we are gaining a lot from him as he is also an alumnus of the school. We are thankful to have him on our team.”
Earlier this year, Seruvakula was shortlisted for the position of head coach 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 achieved a 21-17 win against South Africa.
Last year, Seruvakula served as the forwards coach for the Flying Fijians at the Rugby World Cup, where the team reached the quarterfinals.
Waiwalu mentioned that they were prepared to defend the Deans Trophy against a tough opponent and emphasized that the team’s strategy throughout the week focused on maintaining possession, which ultimately proved successful. “We discussed faith at the start of the year, and we’ve finally seen that pay off,” he remarked.
The team consists of students from diverse backgrounds. “We play for each other because many have faced difficulties, and we formed a strong bond this season,” Waiwalu added. He noted that this victory is particularly significant for QVS, marking their 25th win in the Deans Trophy. “The Deans Trophy belongs to the Tailevu schools,” he stated.
In another highlight, QVS first-five eighth and captain Anare Tabakaucoro expressed his aspirations to further his rugby career. “My plan is to play for the (Fijian) Drua,” he told SUNsports. “I wish to play professionally and remain in Fiji to stay close to my mother.”
Tabakaucoro was a key player in the final, displaying composure and effectively managing the game. “This is my last year, and I want to give back to the school,” he said. “Our parents have been incredibly encouraging. Most of us have been raised single-handedly, and as a team, we dedicate this win to them.”