THE Fiji Secondary School’s Rugby Union will introduce a new approach to the Vodafone Deans national quarter-finals this year, with matches expected to be hosted across different regions.
Fiji Rugby Union acting chief operations officer Talemo Waqa says the move is part of efforts to strengthen the development pathway of school rugby and allow more supporters to witness the country’s top school teams in action.
The quarter-finals are expected to be played in Suva and Lautoka, while the northern schools could also have the opportunity if they qualify.
Waqa says the decision allows school rugby to grow beyond traditional venues and gives regions a chance to experience national-level competition.
The move could give supporters in the North and West the opportunity to watch some of the country’s leading school rugby teams, including Ratu Kadavulevu School, Queen Victoria School, Lelean Memorial School, Suva Grammar School and Marist Brothers High School, if they qualify and are drawn to play in those regions.
The national finals, however, will remain in Suva at the HFC Bank Stadium.
Details of the quarter-final venues will be confirmed once the qualifying teams are known. The Dean’s elimination matches are scheduled for August 1, followed by the national quarter-finals on August 8 and semi-finals a week later.
The Vodafone Deans finals will be held on August 22 at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva.
