Ratu Latianara College’s under-17 girls rugby league side will test themselves against Tonga’s best this weekend as part of their build-up to the 2026 Raluve Championship, coach Ratu Seru Kuriyalavou confirmed on Friday. The Pacific Schools Rugby League Championship match at Churchill Park in Lautoka is scheduled for 9:30am on Saturday and will be broadcast live on FBC Two, with free admission for spectators.
Kuriyalavou said the timing of the international encounter could not be better as his side seeks to sharpen its game ahead of next year’s schools campaign. “This will be a very good test for us. Playing against their best, it will be a good chance to see where we are and point out areas we will need to work on,” he said, underlining the coaching staff’s focus on identifying weaknesses and consolidating strengths after a busy season.
The team arrives in Lautoka buoyed by recent success at the national schools’ rugby league competition and have maintained a steady training program since that triumph. Kuriyalavou framed the match as a valuable assessment opportunity for his players — both as a measurement of current form and as preparation for the Raluve Championship next year.
Saturday’s fixture at Churchill Park forms part of a larger Pacific Schools Rugby League Championship slate, with Ba Methodist School’s Junior boys side scheduled to play their match at 2pm. Organisers have ensured fans can attend without charge, and the decision to televise the Tonga game on FBC Two will give the young Latianara side exposure on a national platform.
Churchill Park has become a focal point for major domestic fixtures in recent months and is set to host a number of high-profile matches into 2026, cementing its role as a key venue for both youth and professional rugby events across the West. For Ratu Latianara, the weekend’s international test represents an opportunity to measure the squad against physical and tactical styles unfamiliar to local competition.
Kuriyalavou and his coaching team will use the encounter to finalise combinations and working structures ahead of the Raluve Championship, with the emphasis on leaving the players better prepared for the demands of the schoolgirls season next year. The match’s free entry and live broadcast should ensure strong support and a useful platform for the players to showcase their development.