The battle for the Holy Grail IT has been a highly supercharged rugby season for our schoolboys, with the finals in Laucala Bay today serving up a delicious menu. We’ve seen a season of breathtaking plays, of underdog stories, and a few truly dominant performances.
And now, it all stacks up to this. The grand stage is set for the Deans Under-18 final, with two fantastic sides – a titan of tradition, the other a symbol of unbending raw emotion and chasing a rare piece of history – about to write the final page of their story in 2025.
History and form with RKS When you think of Deans, you think of Ratu Kadavulevu School (RKS). In itself, the title is as much a byword for power, discipline, and a heritage that runs deeper than any lineout jumper or halfback. They are the norm. RKS plays clinical yet brutal rugby. This RKS outfit hasn’t lost a match at the national level.
For me, they combined the flair and ruthlessness against Cuvu College in the quarterfinal and backed it up for most of the match against Suva Grammar in the semifinal, though I would be a bit worried that RKS slowed down at the end of both halves, and allowed Suva Grammar to score tries, two late in the game and one just before halftime.
RKS had their dream run stopped in the Eastern final by Queen Victoria, but that shaped them better for the final, as they disposed of Cuvu and Grammar with meticulous deconstruction.
But, RKS have walked this path many times before, and they know the pressure, the noise, and the weight of history that stands at every step of the way. To the Lodonians, the Deans final is not a game; it is like their birthright, a trial of their own identity.
RKS has a big engine room, which will be anchored by their mobile and gutsy props, Esira Livicala and Sairusi Vela. Ever impressive blindside flanker Suliano Savenaca is expected to play a big part at the breakdown and close to the tryline with brutal force and powerful carries. Number eight Tevita Rokosuka has been a sound customer at the back of the pack and I expect him to bring his usual best today.
I think a point of edge in the halves combination for RKS is that the captain and flyhalf, Lemeki Ravukivuki, doesn’t need to worry about kicking goals. He has that task taken care of by nippy halfback Epeli Vocea. This gives room in the head for Ravukivuki to strut his playmaking abilities and control the direction of play for RKS.
The midfield backs have held their own with Jalesi Vaioa and Josese Manono, and the back three have been
good in defence and attack. Fullback Pio Romanu will need to be alert and steady with expected bombs coming his way from Iowane Nabe of Nasinu.
The RKS machine remains as finely attuned and forceful as before, and they should be starting as favourites to get their first Deans since 2018 and their 23rd outright win today.
Nasinu has won hearts Even before the Deans final kick-off, Nasinu Secondary School (NSS) has captured the nation’s hearts. For many years, and this year too, they were the borderline team; they had so much promise but never quite made it.
Nasinu had to fight its way into the final by surviving a tough play-off match after it had to fight to finish third in the Southern Zone. They had to fight tooth and nail and barely survived after the close 20-all quarterfinal result against QVS.
But, the way Nasinu turned up and made the West champs – Natabua looked ordinary in the semifinal last week – showcases that they may be underdogs and they have no Deans history; they are in for the money at the betting shops to make history and win the title for the first time.
They have a well-renowned master tactician, Nacanieli Saumi, in their corner and only time will tell if he can pull all stops to help Nasinu to a maiden crown. You have to say that Nasinu has looked different from the season earlier; they’ve played with passion, a hunger and drive with good structure, which has been a joy to watch.
They also have a good pack of supporters who have believed in them when others wouldn’t. They have shocked everyone, muzzled rugby pundits with their resilience, refused to give up, with a team that is advancing like a lightning strike.
Their semifinal win was not a victory; it was a bold statement that Nasinu isn’t a pushover.
I felt their six tries to nil, 44 to 3 win over Natabua has sent warning shockwaves to RKS homes that there is a new power on the block, and they are not in the final to fill space.
They are here to conquer.
Nasinu boasts a powerful pack, which will be headlined by a big running front three anchored by Iliasa Matayawa. Second rower Alowesi Nakarawa is expected to be one to look out for after scoring two tries last week.
I think the Nasinu backline holds the key to victory. If they get quality ball, Nabe will have a field day directing play, and his kicking game will become the soul of Nasinu’s attack.
Over the past weeks, Joji Bavai and Josevata Veibete have become a formidable midfield force, while they have a good fullback, Tomasi Daulali, who has been making apt decisions at the back and his exit play under pressure will be vital today.
The plot of the Deans decider couldn’t be better. It’s the old guard versus the new, tradition versus innovation, the established monarch against the young contender. The game will be in the trenches. Can Nasinu’s pack resist the merciless, strangling the pressure of the RKS forwards?
The Lodoni boys are masters of the breakdown and set piece. Last week, it was interesting to notice that at certain times, they called for a two-man lineout. RKS will try to choke Nasinu; their tireless breakaways will target Nabe and put pressure on their fiery backs and close out space for them.
I think Nasinu’s greatest asset has been a bullet start, their tempo and their creativity. A lot will depend on Captain Nabe and his kicking boot. Nasinu needs to play spotless, take every opportunity they get, and play with a style only an underdog can.
They’ve got to enter the final with a nothing to lose and everything to gain attitude.
For the lads in the final, it’s the culmination of their schoolboy moments. A chance to leave their names etched in the Deans’ history book, to be legends in their own time.
As a commentator, you can feel it. I am looking forward to calling the Deans final on FBC Sports and Viti+ platforms.
So, who will claim the Deans today? Will RKS perpetuate their dynasty and once again prove their legacy is unbeatable? Or will Nasinu complete their fairytale journey and write a new, golden chapter in the history of Deans rugby?
Whatever the outcome, one thing is certain: we are in for something special – Laucala and your theatre at home is set for a Deans final to be remembered.
SATISH NARAIN is a regular contributor to this newspaper and the views expressed in this article are his and not necessarily of The Fiji Times.