The contribution of former Flying Fijians forwards coach Senirusi Seruvakula was crucial in Queen Victoria School’s 27-13 victory over Nasinu Secondary School in the Vodafone Deans Trophy grand final. This was shared with SUNsports on Saturday night by QVS Under-18 head coach Josaia Waiwalu.
Waiwalu stated that Seruvakula serves as their technical coach and praised his expertise, calling him the best coach in the Pacific. He noted that the team has learned significantly from Seruvakula, who is also an alumnus of the school, expressing gratitude for his involvement with the team.
Earlier this year, Seruvakula was considered 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 was also at the helm of the Fiji women’s rugby team during the 2022 Women’s Rugby World Cup, where they triumphed over South Africa with a score of 21-17. Last year, he served as the forwards coach for the Flying Fijians during the Rugby World Cup, where the team reached the quarterfinals.
Waiwalu mentioned that the team prepared thoroughly to defend their title against a strong opponent, focusing on maintaining possession, which turned out to be effective. He reflected on the notion of faith that began at the start of the year, noting that they finally saw it come to fruition.
He further highlighted that the team comprises students from diverse backgrounds who play for one another, forming a strong bond driven by personal challenges. This win is significant for QVS as it marks their 25th title, underscoring Waiwalu’s statement that “the Deans Trophy is a property of the Tailevu schools.”
In a related note, QVS captain and first-five eighth Anare Tabakaucoro expressed his aspirations to advance his rugby career by aiming to play for the Fijian Drua. He emphasized his desire to play professionally while remaining close to his mother in Fiji. Tabakaucoro played a vital role in the final, demonstrating poise and control throughout the game. He acknowledged that this being his final year, he wants to give back to the school and paid tribute to the support of their parents, many of whom raised them single-handedly, dedicating the victory to them.