Daveta keeps faith
Faith is tattooed on the left arm of Cuvu College second five-eighth Douglas Daveta. It has been there since 2015, the first time he represented Cuvu College in the Coke Zero Deans competition.
This year marks his third appearance at the secondary schools premier rugby event facing Tailevu giant Ratu Kadavulevu School in the semi-final at the ANZ Stadium in Suva this Saturday.
At 15 in 2015, his side lost to Lelean Memorial School 15-3, and last year was edged 8-7 by Nasinu Secondary School.
“It is an important game for us as RKS has been dominating the competition over the years.
“But we have been learning and improving,” the younger brother of former national rep Jiuta Lutumailagi said. “This will be my final year and I want to give my best shot.
“We felt short twice and its time we buck the trend.”
The Nadroumai, Nadroga native played a key role when they beat Suva Grammar School 22-3 in the quarterfinal last Saturday to continue their unbeaten run this year.
The other survivors from last year incude Michael Christopher (No.8) and skipper Manoa Mocelutu.
“This is my second year to be part of the Deans competition. It was a painful season for us last year when we lost to Nasinu Secondary School in the quarterfinal,” Mocelutu said.
“We will try to improve and make it a remarkable season. This is my last year and with the backing of the team we can actually do the school and our province proud.”
He wants to be a fire-fighter in future.