Ratu Kadavulevu School produced a commanding performance to capture the Vodafone Deans Trophy in the Under-18 division, running in ten tries on their way to a 53-15 victory over Nasinu Secondary School. The win settles seven years of waiting and confirms RKS’s status as a dominant force in Fiji’s school rugby.
The opening exchanges set the tone as Nasinu struck first with an unconverted try before RKS answered with a try of their own, signaling a high-tempo contest. Jone Kunaqio crossed for RKS on the left wing, though the conversion hit the post and failed to sail through. RKS kept the pressure on with a surge of forwards and quick ball, and Pio Romanu went over for a third for RKS, signaling a relentless advance. Nasinu fought back with sturdy defense and pace, and their skipper Iowane Nabe added three points with a well-struck penalty as Nasinu closed the half.
By halftime, RKS led 22-8, having shown a blend of strength at the breakdown and clinical finishing in the backline. After the break, Tevita Rokosuka spearheaded the surge for RKS, delivering the team’s fifth try as they pressed to break Nasinu’s resistance. Suliano Savenaca followed with another score, and Lemeki Ravukivuki contributed, with Asaeli Bulai adding the conversion attempts that did not always land. The line kept moving for RKS as Ratu Apimeleki Vikila crossed for a ninth try and then added another late in the game, sealing a dominating performance for the Delainakaikai side.
Nasinu’s standout moments included a late push and a penalty from Nabe, but the deficit proved insurmountable as RKS extended their lead with late tries to finish well clear of Nasinu.
What this means for Fiji school rugby
– The victory reinforces RKS’s status as a powerhouse in Fiji’s Deans Trophy history, highlighting their depth across age groups and a pipeline that has produced national representatives and standout talents.
– Nasinu, despite the heavy defeat, demonstrated resilience and real capacity to test one of the sport’s traditional giants, underscoring the competitiveness of Fiji’s school rugby scene.
– The Deans Trophy continues to be a critical proving ground for young players, feeding aspiring talent into higher levels of the sport and strengthening Fiji’s rugby pathway.
Key players to watch
– Tevita Rokosuka: A driving force in the second-half push, helping to catalyze RKS’s scoring spree.
– Lemeki Ravukivuki: A cornerstone in the backline, contributing to the multi-try effort and bringing leadership as a national under-20 representative in some campaigns.
– Ratu Apimeleki Vikila: Crossed twice late, including a decisive late score that helped seal the win.
– Pio Romanu: Opened the scoring for RKS and added to the early momentum.
Summary
Ratu Kadavulevu School claimed the Under-18 Deans Trophy with a confident 53-15 victory over Nasinu Secondary School, capped by a ten-try performance led by Rokosuka, Ravukivuki, Savenaca and Vikila, cementing their place in Fiji school rugby lore and signaling ongoing strength in their talent development pipeline.
Positive note
The win showcases the strength of Fiji’s youth development programs and offers a hopeful outlook for the country’s future rugby talent, with players gaining valuable experience on big stages and continuing to push the sport forward at the national level.
Note
This article highlights the key moments and players from the final and places the result in the broader context of Fiji’s school rugby development and future potential.
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