RKS U18 win inJapan

Ratu Kadavulevu School won the Sanix World Youth Championship thrashing New Zealand’s Hastings Boys High School 35 – 5. The boys from Delainakaikai were too strong for the Kiwis.

Team manager Osea Uluiviti said their focus was to defy all odds and surpassed RKS best performance in 2002 where they finished third.

“We have been preparing for the Deans Trophy competition which starts in the second term and to be part of this tourna-ment was a big bonus for us,” he said.

Sanix World Rugby Youth Tournament 2018 has be¬come the pinnacle of the sport for schoolboys’ rugby, with the cham¬pions being considered the strong¬est Under- 18 team in the world.

New Zealand schools have won the event seven times since the tournament inception in 2000 with Hamilton Boys’ High School hav-ing won three times in 2010-2011 and 2014.

Swire Shipping Fiji Warriors lost 14-24 to Western Force in the World Series Rugby opening match in Perth on Friday.

Force led 19-0 at halftime. The Senirusi Seruvakulacoached side scored two tries to give themselves a sniff but left their run too late.

Fiji’s tries were scored by halfback Peni Matawalu and Mosese Voka.

Tevita Ratuva left the field with a suspected broken ankle midway through the second half. Vodafone Flying Fijians head coach John McKee said the Warriors started slowly but fought back in the second half.

“In the first half defensive errors led to two of the Force tries,”he said. “Overall a credible performance with some lessons to be learned as we look towards the Pacific Nations Cup next month.

“I don’t think the new laws had much influence on the game. “Both teams had a positive attitude to running the ball and this contributed to a fast flowing game.

“The Warriors got a very good reception in from both the Western Force fans.

“Mose Voka showed his experience and led by example. Tevia Ratuva and Jale Railala had some very good moments and Vili Rarasea worked hard. Alivereti Veitokani added some spark to the backline in the second half.”