While they do not have a gym and proper training grounds in Namosi, Korodrau said they will do their best.
Action between the Vodafone Deans Southern Zone Under-19 final between Rt Simione Matanitobua College and Nasinu Secondary School. Photos: Josua Buredua
After five years competing in the Vodafone Deans Southern Zone competition, Ratu Simione Matanitobua College Under-19 will make their first national quarterfinal next week.
Despite their, 27-14, loss to Nasinu Secondary School in the final last Saturday, captain Samuela Korodrau is adamant they will be a better side at Prince Charles Park, Nadi next Saturday.
Their side was scoreless in the first half. He indicated most of the members of their team played at Bidesi park for the first time and were overwhelmed with the Suva crowd.
“We were not stable in the first half; most of our players were watching the game instead of playing,” Korodrau said.
“We reset our game plan during the second half and was able to score.
“We are expecting the quarterfinals to be tough. We know many of these schools have been in the competition way longer than us.”
While they do not have a gym and proper training grounds in Namosi, Korodrau said they will do their best.
“We could be the smallest U19 with regards to our built but I commend our boys for their effort to reach this far.
“We only lift sandbags instead of weights and our ground is only about half the size of a regular rugby pitch but that does not deter us from playing rugby and competing at national level,” Korodrau said.
“We have learnt many things in this competition and hope to build on that moving forward.”
Southern Zone Finals Results:
Under14 final: SGS 21-5 Dudley High School, Play-off: MBHS 31-5 Nasinu Secondary School (NSS), U15 final: MGM 16-10 SGS, play-off: MBHS 17-13 NSS, U16 final: SGS 21-5 MBHS, play-off: Gospel 8-3 NSS, U17 final: SGS 24-10 MBHS, play-off: NSS 38-13 RSMS, U18 final: MBHS 13-15 SGS, play-off: NSS 37-3 Nabua Secondary School, U19 final: NSS 27-14 Rt Simione Matanitobua College, play-off: AOG High School 3-26 Naitasiri Secondary School.
Weet-Bix Raluve Finals results:
U16 finals: Lomaivuna High School 17-17 Ratu Latianara College (RLC awarded win – they cscored the first try), U18: Nasinu Secondary School 0-16 Mahatma Gandi Memorial (MGM) School.
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