The Ratu Kadavulevu School (RKS) under-16 teams bench proved the difference as the Lodoni boys pulled away in the second half to defeat Queen Victoria School (QVS) 23-8 and claim the Eastern Zone Secondary Schools Rugby Union under-16 title at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva yesterday.
Leading 13-8 at the break, RKS faced a determined QVS outfit before their replacements injected fresh energy into the contest.
The impact of the substitutes mirrored a “bomb squad”, lifting the tempo and helping RKS cross for two unanswered tries in the final quarter to seal a convincing victory.
Head coach Phillip Halofaki said the halftime message centred on unity and faith.
“To work hard as a team, as brothers, through the Holy Spirit we could overcome anything,” he said.
While pleased with the performance, Halofaki believes his side still has plenty of improvement ahead of the national quarter-finals.
Despite winning the Eastern Zone crown, he said RKS would embrace the underdog tag against the country’s top schools.
“We respect Suva Grammar School and Mahatma Gandhi Memorial School.
“They are the champions of this grade.
“We still have a lot to work on, and we give glory to the Almighty for today’s victory,” he said.
Meanwhile, QVS claimed the U14 title after edging RKS 13-7.
Lelean Memorial School upset RKS 12-7 to win the Under-15 final, while RKS bounced back in the U17 grade with a 24-15 victory over QVS.
Lelean completed a memorable day by defeating RKS 23-17 in the U19 final.
In the Raluve U16 final, Adi Cakobau School held off Saint Vincent College 19-18 in a thrilling contest.
Results: U14: QVS 13-7 RKS, U15: LMS 12-7 RKS, U16: RKS 23-8 QVS, U17: RKS 24-13, U18…..U19: RKS 17-23 LMS. Raluve: U16 ACS 19-18 St Vincent.
