THE Suva Grammar School under-17 Deans rugby team have prepared relentlessly, determined to secure their fourth consecutive title in this year’s Vodafone Fiji Secondary Schools Rugby Union Deans competition.
Last year, in the U16 grade, they dominated Ratu Kadavulevu School 30-5 in the semi-finals before crushing rivals Mahatma Gandhi Memorial High School 40-8 in the national finals to claim the U16 title.
Speaking to TimesSport, full back Jerry Suvenaika said pre-season preparations began during the school holidays.
“The preparations have been tough. It’s been a long time, starting from last year. It’s been hard,” Suveinaika said.
“We sacrificed our holidays just to come here and train. For the past three years, we’ve been playing really well. But coming to this grade, it’s going to be a tough competition.”
The team was on bye in the first round and will begin their Deans campaign tomorrow against newcomers Jai Narayan College.
Despite being the overwhelming favourites to win the match, Suvenaika said they will not underestimate any of team in the competition.
“We don’t underestimate them. We play each game as a final. We know this year will be a tough tournament for us. We just put our trust in the Lord and work towards our game plan and execute it well,” he said.
Team manager Leano Ana said rugby development and exposure has been the primary objective for the team outside of wining titles.
This has led to multiple players in the teams receiving rugby contracts and scholarships abroad.
“We’ve had boys receiving scholarships and we hope that more of them also get this kind of opportunities,” she said proudly.
“And we are really happy with this because this is what we are all here for to develop them and help them get a future in rugby.”
The Suva Grammar U17 team hosts Jai Narayan College ttomorrow at ground two of the Suva Grammar School grounds at 3.30 pm.
