Two mouthwatering Vodafone Deans U18 semi-finals line up this Saturday at HFC Bank Stadium in Suva, with Suva Grammar School taking on Ratu Kadavulevu School and Natabua High School facing Nasinu Secondary.
Suva Grammar captain Semi Solovani, who calmly slotted the match-winning penalty in the 27-24 quarter-final win over Lelean Memorial, says discipline and teamwork will be vital as they push to reach the final. “When we finish training, I’ll do my extra work to try and perfect my game,” the Year 13 student explained, adding that the team’s message is always about working together and looking out for one another.
RKS arrive as the form team after a dominant 34-7 quarter-final victory over Cuvu College. Known for their physical forward pack and relentless breakdown, the Lodoni-based squad is ruthless at controlling territory and applying pressure. Their sharp set-piece execution and solid defensive structure make them especially dangerous in knockout rugby, meaning Grammar will need to match them physically early on to disrupt quick front-foot ball.
Natabua High School, the only western side left in the competition, edged Marist Brothers High School 20-17 to reach the semis. They bring a blend of hard-ball carrying and elusive backs, and have shown composure under pressure. Against Nasinu, their challenge will be to control possession and avoid penalties in key areas, as Nasinu are described as capitalising on opponents’ mistakes to swing momentum.
Nasinu’s path to the semis adds extra heat to the weekend’s fixtures, with the southern powerhouse set to test Natabua’s discipline and execution if the western side is to advance to the final.
All four semi-finalists will compete at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva on Saturday, keeping the Deans legacy alive and promising a thrilling conclusion to the U18 competition.
Summary: The U18 semi-finals bring together Suva Grammar vs RKS and Natabua vs Nasinu at HFC Bank Stadium, featuring a captain’s leadership tale from Solovani, a powerhouse performance from RKS, and tight, balanced showings from Natabua. The results will shape the title race and highlight the growing strength and pathways of Fiji’s youth rugby.
Commentary: Expect intense physical battles, high work-rate from the pack, and smart game management from the front lines. The weekend will be a strong indicator of which programs are building depth and sustainable success in Fiji’s Deans rugby ecosystem. Positive momentum for all four schools bodes well for the development of young talent and community pride in Fijian youth sport.
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