THE Fiji Secondary Schools Rugby Union’s (FSSRU) decision to allow qualified schools to register up to six guest players for the Vodafone Deans U18 elimination and quarterfinal stages has received mixed reactions from schools in the Western and Eastern zones.
While some schools have welcomed the move, saying it will give smaller schools a better chance of competing at the national level, Queen Victoria School principal Epeli Nasau believes the new format requires greater consultation with school heads.
Under the updated rules, schools that qualify for the national eliminations and quarterfinals can bring in up to six guest players — three forwards and three backs from schools that have been eliminated within the same zone.
Ba Methodist School coach David Wise welcomed the decision, saying it could help smaller schools strengthen their squads and give more students the opportunity to experience Deans rugby.
“We are so happy about this news. This is good news for us, and it will benefit smaller schools,” Wise said.
He said Ba Methodist had already benefited from the opportunity, with players joining their lower-grade teams from other schools.
“Our Ba Methodist U15 side, we have brought in a few players from Xavier, and their parents are happy that their children are playing in the Deans competition, which is always their dream from primary school,” Wise said.
Wise said the rule had also helped address a shortage in their U17 side.
“Our Ba Methodist U17 team, we are getting one tight head from Natabua. We only have one tight head prop, so we are getting one from Natabua. This is the benefit of getting guest players in the team,” he said.
“We are excited about this new rule, and we look forward to a tough quarterfinal.”
However, Nasau believes the new system should have been discussed with school heads before its introduction.
The FSSRU has introduced a 16-team elimination round, changing the pathway teams follow after completing their respective zone competitions.
“To be honest, from my side, it should be a consultation. If you can sit together with FSSRU and heads of school, then we discuss,” Nasau said.
He said consultation would have allowed schools to consider the financial and wider implications of the new format, including player movement between schools and the impact on families.
Nasau also questioned the fairness of allowing players to join another school during the competition, particularly for teams that have gone through the entire season with their own players.
“For those who have been in the journey from day one up until the elimination stage, it’s going to be a little bit unfair,” he said.
He said school rugby was built around commitment, attendance, parental support, attitude and character, with players developing a strong connection with the school they represent.
“We bleed for our school. We bleed for the name of the school for years,” Nasau said.
Another concern raised by Nasau is the reduced preparation and recovery time before the national quarterfinals.
He said teams traditionally had a week to recover and prepare after completing their zone competition, but the new format leaves little time for teams to regroup.
The additional travel required under the new system could also increase costs for schools and disrupt academic programs and classroom learning, he said.
Despite his concerns, Nasau said schools must now accept the decision and make the most of the new system.
“The ball is in our court now. The only thing we are going to do, let’s welcome the system,” he said.
Nasau believes the first year should be used as an opportunity to assess the new format, including its costs and benefits, before schools provide feedback on how the system could be improved in future.
The U18 elimination round will be played this Saturday, with the quarterfinals scheduled for the following weekend.
