The newly established Vatukoro rugby team from Ra recently made a notable impression at the Fiji Sports Council’s under-20 7s tournament, held at HFC Bank Stadium in Suva.
In the quarter-finals for the bowl competition, Vatukoro faced off against the Untouched Rugby team, securing a convincing victory with a score of 12-0. Their strong defensive performance shone in the first half, with a pivotal contribution from Malakai Rokomua leading to points on the scoreboard. Marika Dreudreu also played a key role, sealing the win with a crucial try in the second half.
Head coach Ilai Nameke praised the youthful energy of his team, which had only recently entered the tournament scene to provide young players with essential rugby experience. The team has demonstrated impressive performance over the past four Fiji Sports Council under-20 7s events, including a commendable win at the Mataso 7s.
“We have a really young squad that just joined two months ago, and our objective is to get these boys out to experience rugby,” Nameke explained. While they did not advance to the main cup final, their victory over the Untouched Rugby team signifies a promising step for the Vatukoro side.
Looking ahead, the team is eager to improve their skills and gain more experience in upcoming tournaments, including the Fiji Bitter series. The members are committed to ensuring that all players benefit from valuable exposure and enriching rugby experiences. They expressed heartfelt appreciation to their supporters, parents, and the Ra community for their steadfast encouragement.
The promising performance of the Vatukoro team highlights the importance of fostering young talent in sports and the potential for growth as they continue to pursue their rugby journey. This positive outlook opens doors for the team to develop their skills and build on their recent successes in future competitions.
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