Rugby has experienced significant growth over the years, demonstrated by the performances of school teams in various competitions. Former Fiji 7s and Flying Fijians player Sireli Bobo expressed this sentiment after observing the quarter-finals of the Weet-Bix Raluve and Vodafone Super Deans tournaments.
Bobo attended the matches at HFC Bank Stadium and was pleased with the players’ development, noting that rugby has improved considerably compared to previous years. He praised the contribution of teachers to the sport and highlighted the participation of schools from northern regions as a sign of Fiji’s untapped talent.
“It’s encouraging to see schools from outside the central region making it to the nationals. Rugby has really improved, and from watching the U14 and U15 matches on Saturday, I was very impressed,” he remarked. He pointed out that many players from Suva and Western schools are involved in the high-performance unit (HPU) program, which contributes to their enhanced performances.
Bobo, who led the Fiji 7s team to victory at the 2023 Pacific Games, shared his favorites for the tournament. In the U14 category, he feels Marist Brothers High School stands out as a strong contender, having dominated their quarter-final match. However, he cautioned that anything can happen during knockout rounds, and that every team will be well-prepared. Ultimately, he believes success will depend on the players’ mental and physical readiness.
The former rugby star also acknowledged the significant impact of high-performance training on the players currently in Fiji Rugby’s HPU program.