The Queen Victoria School Under-18 rugby team, the reigning champions of the Vodafone Deans Trophy, is prioritizing discipline and leadership as they prepare to take on Marist Brothers High School in the quarterfinals at Suva’s HFC Bank Stadium tomorrow.
During an interview, QVS U18 captain Anare Tabakaucoro emphasized the importance of their preparation for the match against a respected Marist team, which finished third in their zone competition.
Despite being new to the squad and not having played with them last year, Tabakaucoro has shared insights from the previous year’s team regarding strategy and execution, which were key in winning the Deans Trophy. He expressed a commitment to playing for their families, friends, and alumni once again.
Tabakaucoro highlighted that the team’s motivation is deeply rooted in honoring their parents’ sacrifices, particularly for those who have traveled from far, like Vanua Levu, and haven’t seen their families in a long time. Many team members have been raised by single parents, which further fuels their determination to excel in every game.
In spite of his experience with the Fijian Warriors and Fiji Under-20 teams, Tabakaucoro remains humble and credits his accomplishments to a higher power, stating, “It’s all about God.” He mentioned the coaching staff’s advice to focus on winning the trophy this year rather than simply defending their title.
On the other hand, the manager of the Marist Brothers High School U18 team has chosen to maintain a low profile, declining to participate in interviews before the match.