DOUBLING up on preparations is the mindset of Southern Zone Fiji Secondary Schools Rugby League Under-17 champions, Lelean Memorial School Knights, as they aim for a successful outing at the national championships.
Head coach Qio Filipe understands that the national championships will be a different ball game, with no second chances if they fall short in their quarter-finals match.
Last Saturday, the Davuilevu-based school team showed incredible resilience, snatching victory in the final minute against defending champions Ratu Kadavulevu School Eels.
Although he commended his team for their gutsy performance, Filipe highlighted the need to shore up their defensive structures to avoid playing catch-up rugby at the nationals.
“At the moment our defence is our greatest work on; this was evident today (last Saturday). We need to get that right before the nationals,” he remarked.
Captain Kaveni Tuisavura added that while their victory was well deserved, refining the basics remains essential ahead of facing the country’s top teams.
“We need to improve our passing; most of our passing were not connecting today (last Saturday), our tackles as well were lacking and our communication on the field really let us down. That’s why we had to play catch-up for most of the match,” he noted.
“We need to work on these basic skills before we meet the best teams in the country at the nationals.”
Last year, the team fell short of reaching the national finals, but this year they are determined to do better.
“We know it will be tough, but we are ready. This victory has given us confidence, and we are excited to compete at the next level,” he said.
The Knights’ dramatic and gutsy victory not only marks a significant milestone but also sets the stage for a fierce contest at the forthcoming national tournament.
Details of the national quarter-finals will be confirmed later this week by organisers.
