“The only main challenge is our off-field discipline that we are facing right now. It’s not only about rugby but it’s about moulding the characters of the players here.”
Tailevu North College Under-18 players celebrate their upset win over Lelean Memorial School 13-12 at the HFC Bank Stadium on July 19, 2024. Photo: Ronald Kumar
The Tailevu North College Under-18 rugby team pushed Lelean Memorial School out of the Vodafone Deans Trophy competition. TNC pipped LMS 13- 12 in the Eastern Zone playoffs at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva yesterday.
Speaking to SUNsports yesterday, TNC manager Manasa Kaitabu said they created history after so many attempts in the Deans Trophy competition in the past.
“This is the first time that Tailevu North College managed to beat one famous and prominent school in the Deans competition in Fiji,” he said.
“I salute the boys for the win today. This win is dedicated to God for the stamina, wisdom and strength.”
He also dedicated the win to the parents, school and supporters of Tailevu North College.
“The only main challenge is our off-field discipline that we are facing right now. It’s not only about rugby but it’s about moulding the characters of the players here.”
Kaitabu said they have received the full support of the school, students and parents.
“We need to improve the execution rate of the system we have in place. We need to improve the players discipline and mould the characters
as well.”
Kaitabu said the team’s fitness is their biggest strength in their dean’s campaign.
Tailevu North U18 captain, Vacolo Qiodravu, said they did not expect to win their playoff match against Lelean.
“This win is dedicated to my parents for their support and raising me,” he said.
Room for improvement
“This win is also dedicated to all the Tailevu North College supporters that came out for the playoff match.”
The 18-year-old hails from Matacaucau, Tailevu lad with maternal links to Votua in Ba. He represented the Ratu Kadavulevu School U17
team last year.
“It was a tough match against Lelean and we expected it during our preparation phase,” he said.
“We have to improve our scrums and lineouts moving forward.” Qiodravu said their coach was dependent on his leadership to influence his teammates to strive for a win at halftime trailing 3 – 12.
“Our coach usually advises us to give our full efforts in training and in the gym,” he said.
“I would like to the parents of the Tailevu North College for their words of wisdom, support and feeding us at camp.
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