Rugby has seen significant growth over the years, particularly evident in the performance of teams in school competitions. This perspective was shared by former Fiji 7s and Flying Fijians player Sireli Bobo, who observed the quarter-finals of the Weet-Bix Raluve and Vodafone Super Deans tournaments.
Attending the matches at HFC Bank Stadium last Friday and Saturday, Bobo was impressed by the development of the sport. “I have been following the Deans and Raluve competitions, and rugby has really evolved compared to previous years,” he stated.
The participation of schools from northern Fiji highlights the country’s rich pool of untapped talent. Bobo remarked, “We’ve seen the significant efforts made by teachers for the sport, and we can see schools from outside regions entering the national competitions, which is encouraging. Rugby has genuinely improved, and after watching the U14 and U15 matches on Saturday, I was left quite impressed.”
He noted that many players from Suva and Western schools are involved in Fiji Rugby’s High-Performance Unit (HPU) program, which reflects in their performance. Bobo, who led the Fiji 7s team to victory at the 2023 Pacific Games, shared his thoughts on the competitions.
“In the U14 category, I would suggest Marist Brothers High School as my top contender. They not only dominated their quarter-final match, but I have also closely followed their games this season. However, this does not mean I am discounting other schools; anything can happen during the knockout stages. Every team will be ready, but ultimately, it will depend on their mental and physical preparedness,” he emphasized.
Bobo also highlighted the impact of high-performance training for players currently engaged in Fiji Rugby’s HPU program.