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. QVS Under-18 head coach Josaia Waiwalu praised Seruvakula’s contributions, stating, “He is our technical coach and the best coach in the Pacific at the moment. 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 shortlisted for the head coaching position of the Flying Fijians. He previously coached the Fijian Drua to victory in the Australia National Rugby Championship in 2018 and also led the Fiji women’s rugby team to a win against South Africa in the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2022.
Waiwalu noted that his team was well-prepared to defend their title against a strong opponent, emphasizing their strategy to maintain possession throughout the match. “We talked about faith at the start of the year and we’ve finally witnessed that,” he remarked. He highlighted that the team comprises students from diverse backgrounds, united by their experiences and dedication to playing for each other. The win is significant for QVS, marking their 25th triumph in the Deans Trophy.
In a related note, QVS captain Anare Tabakaucoro expressed his aspirations to advance his rugby career, aiming to play for the Fijian Drua while remaining close to his mother. He acknowledged the vital contributions of his teammates and the support from their parents, dedicating the victory to them, especially those who raised the players single-handedly.