Ratu Navula College is determined to claim victory in the Vodafone Deans Trophy. The Under-18 team manager, Mitieli Qumi, made this clear following their quarterfinal win, where they defeated Mahatma Gandhi Memorial School 16-10.
In an interview, Qumi expressed the team’s ambition to restore the dominance of Western teams in the national finals. He acknowledged Mahatma Gandhi Memorial as the favorites for this year’s tournament. “We looked up to them when we came to Suva since they were a very good team,” he stated.
The players from RNC showcased a strong defensive strategy in the closing moments of the match, successfully preventing MGM from scoring. Qumi noted that while reaching the semifinals is an achievement, there is still opportunity for improvement. “There were mistakes, but we will regroup and come back as a better team,” he remarked.
Looking ahead, RNC will compete against the defending Deans Trophy champions, Queen Victoria School, in the semifinals. “We are here for business and we are here to play. Our biggest strength is the spiritual support from our families and the school,” Qumi concluded.