Temo Mayanavanua backs Suva Grammar ahead of Deans semis, urges focus on performance
Flying Fijians and Fijian Drua loose forward Temo Mayanavanua has voiced his support for Suva Grammar School as they prepare for the Deans Trophy semi-finals. The former Scholar, who wore the yellow-and-blue in his school days, sent an encouraging message to the Under-14 through Under-18 teams, urging them to concentrate on delivering a high-quality performance rather than chasing the scoreboard.
Mayanavanua’s message was clear: go out and put on a performance that everyone—players, families, and the school—can be proud of. “Go out there and put a performance that we can all be proud of — you, your family, and the school can be proud of. Don’t worry about the results, the results will take care of themselves once you put a performance out,” he said. While he won’t be on the sidelines this weekend, his support and prayers are with the teams, and he encouraged the players to “show the lion pride” when they take the field.
The Deans Trophy semi-finals will unfold across Suva tomorrow, with the 2025 Vodafone Deans and Weet-Bix Raluve semifinals staged at the HFC Bank Stadium, Buckhurst Park and Bidesi Ground. Some matches will be broadcast live on FBC Sports and FBC 2, and overseas viewers can watch via Vitiplus for 59 FJD.
What to watch this weekend
– An eagerly anticipated U18 showdown features Ratu Kadavulevu School against Suva Grammar School, set for a 5pm kickoff at the HFC Bank Stadium, a marquee clash that epitomizes the week’s top action.
– The semi-finals also include Natabua High School versus Nasinu Secondary, and a broader slate of U14, U15 and U19 fixtures across Buckhurst Park and Bidesi Ground.
– Centralized scheduling in Suva aims to boost broadcast coverage, streamline logistics, and make it easier for families to follow multiple games, with weather updates monitored as needed.
Broader context and development pathway
The Deans and Raluve competitions continue to illustrate Fiji’s deep pool of young talent and the growing prominence of alumni involvement in coaching and mentorship. Recent coverage across the series has highlighted former internationals stepping back into development roles, strengthening the pipeline that carries players from school rugby toward higher levels of the sport. The weekend’s line-up and the heavy emphasis on live coverage reflect a broader push to raise the profile of Fiji’s youth rugby and foster community pride around the Deans program.
Summary
Temo Mayanavanua’s public backing of Suva Grammar adds a high-profile boost to Fiji’s school rugby scene as Deans semi-finals approach. His focus on performance over results, paired with the weekend’s centralized schedule and wide broadcast reach, underscores a positive trajectory for Fiji’s youth programs. The continued involvement of former national players in coaching and mentoring bodes well for the sport’s development and the next generation of players.
Comments
– The sustained support from former and current professionals helps create clear pathways for young players and reinforces the cultural importance of rugby within Fiji’s communities.
– Increased broadcast access, including overseas viewing, should help build a broader fan base and inspire young athletes to pursue rugby more seriously.
Overall sentiment: positive and hopeful.
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