Highlanders aim for final spot

The Naitasiri Secondary School women rugby league team hope to finish this season on a high note. This was after they lost in the semifinals of the Fiji Secondary Schools Rugby League girls open competition in 2020.

They fielded two teams this year aiming to develop the game in the province.

Coach Samuela Railoa is confident of his side.

“We started playing rugby league in 2017, and after losing in the semifinals last year, we are preparing well this year,” he said,

“We have some talented players in the highlands and if properly developed I’ve no doubt they can progress in leaps and bounds.

“We’ve a gym but it is not up to standard, we mostly trained on our school grounds and road running as well.

“The trick is we have to learn more as play in the competition every weekend and good to see the girls doing that.

“We have one goal and that is to finish strong and on top this weekend.”

He indicated getting the girls to train together daily was a struggle with limited time.

“We face financial challenges as the villages are far apart. It is hard for us to get them together every afternoon because it depends on when their van leaves for their respective villages,” Railoa said.

“So that will be the only time we get them to train. This year we are aiming for the final and we want to win the final.”

Results:Girls Open: AOG Sea Eagles 0-10 Lelean Bati, Lomaivuna Rabbitohs One 4-0 Ballantine Raiders, Lomaivuna Rabbitohs Two 0-0 Nasinu Panthers, St Vincent Eagles 0-0 Naitasiri Panthers Two, Naitasiri Panthers One 10-4 Ballantine Raiders Two,St Vincent Sea Eagles 6-6 Namosi Warriors, Naitasiri Panthers One 4-0 Nasinu Panthers, Lomaivuna Rabbitohs Two 0-8 Ballantine Raiders Two

Boys: U17 Tier 2 Final, Gospel Saints 18-20 Shreedhar Sharks.

Main Final: RKS Eels 2-17 Marist Storms

U15 Final: Nasinu Panthers 34 -2 Sukuna Broncos.