Video ref lifts standards, says official

The use of video referee in every match during the Powerade Super Deans Rugby Championship semi-finals at the ANZ Stadium, Suva has lifted the standard of secondary schools competition.

This was the view of Fiji Secondary Schools Rugby Union Eastern Zone president Solomone Seru. Speaking to SUNsports, he said in the past people had always raised their concerns on the decisions made by the referees. “Through the compulsory use of video refereeing, we can reconfirm to the coaches and also the spectators why such decisions were such,” Seru said.

“We want to adopt the Super Rugby standards as well and when games are completed people will know that every decision made was just.”

Seru added that looking at the results of the semi-finals he was pleased with the performance of the Eastern schools as they dominated the national championship. “From day one, we were aiming to ensure that the eastern zone be the number one zone in the country. “When you look at the format of our games, after the zone we had playoffs against the maritime zone, this is to get us accustomed to their level of play before we head into the quarterfinals.

“With the finals coming up we will not be ruling out Cuvu College who will bring a strong side as well.”

Seru thanked the officials and teachers all around the country for their tireless work in nurturing and grooming our young players who are the future of Fijian rugby.