Lepani Bavai, a center for the Marist Brothers High School Under-17 rugby team, has caught the attention of international scouts during the Vodafone Deans Trophy national finals. After helping his school secure a narrow victory against Queen Victoria School with a score of 17-15 in the semi-finals, three overseas scouts approached him last Saturday. Marist Brothers will compete against the two-time champions, Ratu Kadavulevu School, in the upcoming U17 final.
In an interview, Bavai revealed that he is considering the scouts’ offers but is currently focused on his ambition to pursue a career in rugby league. He expressed gratitude for his parents’ unwavering support throughout his journey. Bavai acknowledged the challenges of the semi-final match against QVS but felt thankful for the composure and teamwork displayed by his teammates.
Jonetani Rika, head coach of the MBHS U17 team, emphasized that they will approach the final as underdogs. He acknowledged the need for improvement following the close semi-final match and called attention to Ratu Kadavulevu School’s strong reputation in secondary school rugby, indicating that they have respect for their opponents.
Rika described the final as a potential David versus Goliath scenario but affirmed that the team is committed to putting in their best effort. When asked about future plans, Rika stated that the team’s immediate focus is on the final match against RKS. He noted the significance of balancing athletics with academics for the students, acknowledging the increased competition level in this year’s Deans Trophy as some lesser-known schools have caused upsets.