Rugby has seen significant growth over the years, particularly evident in the performances of school teams during competitions. This observation comes from former Fiji 7s and Flying Fijians player Sireli Bobo, who recently watched the quarter-finals of the Weet-Bix Raluve and Vodafone Super Deans.
Bobo was present at the HFC Bank Stadium on Friday and Saturday to assess the players’ performances and was pleased with the sport’s development. “I’ve been following the Deans and Raluve competitions, and rugby has really improved compared to previous years,” he stated.
The participation of schools from the northern regions highlights the abundance of untapped talent in Fiji. Bobo remarked, “We’ve seen the significant efforts made by teachers in promoting the sport, and the inclusion of schools from outside the usual areas in the nationals is a positive sign. Rugby has truly progressed, and I was particularly impressed while watching the U14 and U15 matches.”
He pointed out that many players from Suva and Western schools are involved in the High-Performance Unit (HPU) program, noting noticeable improvements in their performance.
Bobo, who led the Fiji 7s team to a gold medal at the 2023 Pacific Games, shared his favorites for the upcoming matches. “In the U14 category, my top pick is Marist Brothers High School. They not only dominated their quarter-final match, but I’ve been following their games throughout the season. However, I won’t write off other schools; anything can happen in the knockout stages. Every team will be well-prepared, but ultimately, success will depend on their mental and physical readiness.”
He also emphasized the positive impact of high-performance training for players currently part of Fiji Rugby’s HPU program.