Ba Provincial Free Bird Institute has opted for the underdog tag with a nothing-to-lose attitude when the school’s under-15, 17 and 19 teams compete in the semi-finals of the Vodafone Fiji Secondary School Rugby League at Ratu Cakobau Park in Nausori this Saturday .
The Lautoka-based school has written their names on the history books for the second time, as they made it to the semi-finals in all the three grades in 2021 as well.
Principal Waliki Nasau said making it to the semi-finals was a big achievement for the school and acknowledged everyone involved with the team.
“It is not by accident that we have reached here. It has come through years of development and hard work that the teachers, students and coaches have put in,” he said.
Nasau believes discipline, consistency and the learning process put in by the students had led them so far.
“It is a collective effort. We have moulded our players plus our teachers and coaches, and the whole school has played a huge role in this journey.
“We beat tough opposition last week, the likes of the Marist Storms, the Shreedhar Sharks – we overcame them.
“We always come as underdog. We will respect our opponents this week and will give them a good game on Saturday.”
Coach Timoci Dube said the team was looking to do one better from last year, having lost in the final of the U19 division.
“We are looking forward to the semi-finals this weekend,” Dube said.
“It will be a challenge playing against mostly the Southern Zone champions in their home ground.”
He said although there were some niggling injuries, he would try to get the boys in the best shape for the games on Saturday.
Semi-final fixtures U15: Lelean Bati v RKS Eels, Ba Pro Dragons v QVS Knights U17: Ba Methodist Saints v Ba Pro Dragons, MGM Dragons v QVS Knights U19: RKS Eels v Nasinu Panthers, Naitasiri Warriors v Ba Pro Dragons Girls: Nasikawa Raiders v Lomaivuna Raiders, Naitasiri Warriors v Namosi Titans
