MENDING weaknesses in their level of discipline paid off for the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial High School under-16 Deans rugby squad, as they defeated Suva Grammar School 18-11 in the Southern Zone semi-finals last Saturday.
This was pointed out by team captain Waisiki Ramatakubou, who shared the team began the week with an intent of minimising the number of yellow and red cards shown, which paid off handsomely in the end.
“We focused on our discipline in light of how we performed last week; there were many disciplinary cases (issues) noted such as two red cards shown,” Ramatakubou said.
“It was a reckless thing to show on our part.”
However, he said his teammates were pleased no cards were shown to them in their semi-final clash.
“But today (Saturday), we were happy that no red or yellow cards were given out to us today (Saturday).
“Other areas of our performance such as our defence and our attack were carried out very well.”
Grammar were stunned by the MGM defence and the set-pieces executed by the young ruggers of Vatuwaqa, Suva, as they broke through the tough Lions defence to make their mark felt.
The MGM U16 squad this year is made up of last year’s U15 squad, which lost 27-24 to Grammar in the 2025 Vodafone Deans national finals, held at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva.
Saturday’s win saw them avenge themselves for last year’s loss, where they settled as runners-up.
In light of this, Ramatakubou said the team was thankful for the win earned and set their sights on the final this Saturday against Nasinu Secondary School.
The victory over the young lions of Veiuto means MGM books a spot in the national quarter-finals of the 2026 Vodafone Deans competition.
Meanwhile, Nasinu had beaten Marist Brothers High School 16-15 to meet MGM this week.
