QVS TWINS TURBO FIRES PACK

Queen Victoria School and Ratu Kadavulevu School Under-18 rugby teams meet in the Coke Zero Deans final after 10 years.

The winner will receive $5000, an increase of $3000 from last year The two last met in 2007 where QVS won and the Victorians aim to repeat the feat.

QVS U-18 captain Peni Narube said the message in camp at Matavatucou was to enjoy the game. “We want to thank the Lord for giving us the strength and also the old boys for their full support. “We’ve been reminding the players to enjoy the game and give their best,” Narube said.

RKS vice-principal Walesi Soqoiwasa said they respect QVS as defending champions.

“We know the tough challenge ahead knowing we will meet the defending champion. They are working hard and they are ready to play QVS this Saturday, it’s a huge task. “We are calling on the supporters and old boys of RKS to come out in numbers and support the team,” Soqoiwasa said.

QVS won the Deans Trophy 22 times, drawn six times. QVS won the Deans Trophy in the Under-18 grade in 2011 when the decision was made to lower the Deans Trophy competition from the U-19 to the U-18 age group. The Victorians retained the Deans Trophy in 2012 and after lapse of four years they won it again last year.

RKS won the trophy 20 times and drawn five times. RKS first won the trophy in 1961. RKS holds the record for the longest defence of the Deans Trophy from 1980 to 1985. RKS again won the Deans Trophy in 2015 after a lapse of 10 years since sharing with Suva Grammar School in 2005.

Fijian Secondary Schools Rugby Union executive Biu Colati said they anticipate an exciting battle. “Anticipating a huge crowd this Saturday, we thank Coca-Cola for their support and all the schools and old scholars for their contribution and we promise you this will be huge,” Colati said. Coca-Cola Amatil Fiji Ltd marketing manager Lawrence Tikaram said: “This tournament has grown from strength to strength, it shows the enthusiasm from schools such as QVS and RKS.”

The best player from the match will visit either Australia or New Zealand. Trip prizes will be given to best players’ from each grade.

Photo: Vilimoni Vaganalau Fijian Secondary Schools Rugby Union committee members, sponsors and representatives from Ratu Kadavulevu School and Queen Victoria School with the Coke Zero Deans U-18 trophy during the press conference in Suva on August 10, 2017.