Senirusi Seruvakula, former forwards coach for the Flying Fijians, played a crucial role in Queen Victoria School’s 27-13 victory over Nasinu Secondary School during the Vodafone Deans Trophy grand final. QVS Under-18 head coach Josaia Waiwalu confirmed this during a statement to SUNsports on Saturday night.
Waiwalu praised Seruvakula, calling him the best coach in the Pacific and noting his significant contributions to the team as an alumnus of the school. Earlier this year, Seruvakula was considered for the Flying Fijians head coach position and has a notable history, having led the Fijian Drua to the Australia National Rugby Championship title in 2018 and coaching the Fiji women’s team during the 2022 Women’s Rugby World Cup, where they achieved a 21-17 victory against South Africa.
Last year, Seruvakula served as the forwards coach for the Flying Fijians at the Rugby World Cup, which saw the team reach the quarterfinals. Waiwalu stated that the team was fully prepared to defend their title against a strong opponent and focused on maintaining possession throughout the week leading up to the final, a strategy that proved successful.
“This win demonstrates the faith we’ve had since the beginning of the year,” Waiwalu shared, emphasizing the diverse backgrounds of the players and the bonds they formed throughout the season. He noted that this victory is particularly significant for QVS as it marks their 25th Deans Trophy win, asserting that the trophy belongs to the Tailevu schools.
In related news, QVS captain Anare Tabakaucoro expressed his ambition to advance his rugby career with the Fijian Drua. He highlighted his desire to play professionally while remaining close to his mother. Tabakaucoro’s performance in the final was pivotal, showcasing his ability to maintain control of the game. He dedicated the victory to his parents, many of whom played a single-handed role in raising the players.