The Queen Victoria School Under-18 team, the reigning champions of the Vodafone Deans Trophy, is preparing to face Marist Brothers High School in the quarterfinals at HFC Bank Stadium in Suva tomorrow. Captain Anare Tabakaucoro emphasized the importance of discipline and leadership during an interview, stating that while their preparations have been standard, they recognize the strength of their opponents.
“Marist is a good team, and we respect them even though they came third in their zone competition,” Tabakaucoro remarked. He also expressed the challenges he faced as a new member of the team, having not played with them last year.
“I advise my teammates based on the previous team’s strategies for planning, preparation, and execution. That is how we won the Deans Trophy,” he added, reinforcing their commitment to play for each other and in honor of their families, friends, and former players this season.
Tabakaucoro highlighted the team’s motivation derived from their parents’ sacrifices, noting that many players have not seen their families in quite some time. “A lot of my teammates were raised by single parents, and this drives us to perform well in each game,” he said.
Despite his experience with the Fijian Warriors and the Fiji Under-20 teams, Tabakaucoro remains humble. “I remind myself to stay grounded and put God first. Our coaches have encouraged us not just to defend our Deans title but to win it again this year.”
On the other side, the manager for Marist Brothers High School’s Under-18 team announced that they would maintain a low profile and would not be conducting media interviews.