Rugby has seen significant growth over the years, particularly evident in the performances of teams in school competitions. This perspective comes from former Fiji 7s and Flying Fijians player Sireli Bobo, who observed the quarter-finals of the Weet-Bix Raluve and Vodafone Super Deans.
Attending the matches at the HFC Bank Stadium over the weekend, Bobo was impressed by the evolution of the sport he has closely followed. “I’ve been following the Deans and Raluve competitions, and rugby has grown tremendously compared to previous years,” he remarked.
The involvement of schools from northern regions highlights the vast untapped talent pool in Fiji, according to Bobo. He praised the efforts of teachers in promoting the sport and noted the increasing participation of schools nationwide. “Rugby has indeed improved. Watching the U14 and U15 players last Saturday, I was genuinely impressed,” he stated.
Bobo noted that some players from Suva and Western schools are part of the High-Performance Unit (HPU) program, showcasing noticeable enhancements in their performance.
Having previously coached the Fiji 7s team to a gold medal at the 2023 Pacific Games, Bobo shared his favorites for the U14 category. “My top pick is Marist Brothers High School. They not only dominated their quarter-final but I’ve been tracking their games throughout the season. However, I’m not overlooking the other schools; anything can happen in the knockout rounds. Every team will come prepared, but ultimately it will come down to their mental and physical readiness,” he emphasized.
The former rugby star also highlighted the positive impact of high-performance training for players involved with Fiji Rugby’s HPU.