The expertise of former Flying Fijians forwards coach Senirusi Seruvakula was a key factor in Queen Victoria School’s 27-13 victory over Nasinu Secondary School in the Vodafone Deans Trophy grand final. This insight was shared with SUNsports by QVS Under-18 head coach Josaia Waiwalu on Saturday night.
Waiwalu noted Seruvakula’s role as the technical coach for the team, emphasizing his exceptional coaching skills in the Pacific. He stated, “We are learning a lot from him as he is also an old boy of the school. We are grateful to have him in the team.” Earlier this year, Seruvakula was a candidate for the Flying Fijians head coach position and has a storied coaching history, including leading the Fijian Drua to win the Australia National Rugby Championship in 2018 and coaching the Fiji women’s rugby team at the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2022, where they achieved a memorable victory against South Africa.
Waiwalu expressed the team’s preparation for defending the Deans Trophy against a strong opponent, revealing their strategy focused on maintaining possession, which ultimately proved effective. He reflected on the importance of belief, stating, “We talked about faith at the start of the year, and we’ve finally witnessed that.”
The team is composed of students from diverse backgrounds, and Waiwalu highlighted the bond that formed among them as they played for one another, stating, “There are a lot of unfortunate stories, and we formed a bond to play this season for each other.” This victory is significant for QVS, marking their 25th title in the competition, with Waiwalu claiming, “The Deans (Trophy) is a property of the Tailevu schools.”
In related news, QVS first-five eighth and captain Anare Tabakaucoro expressed his aspirations to advance his rugby career and play for the Fijian Drua. He shared his desire to play professionally while remaining close to his mother. Demonstrating strong control in the final, Tabakaucoro remarked, “This is my last year, and I want to give back to the school. Our parents have been very inspirational. Most of us (players) are raised single-handed, and we as a team dedicate this win to them.”