It will be a do-or-die for Suva Grammar School and Marist Brothers High School in today’s Fiji Secondary Schools Rugby Union’s Southern Zone Under-18 playoffs.

The winner qualifies for the Vodafone Deans Trophy nationals’ quarterfinal while the losing team bows out of the competition.

Speaking to SUNsports on Thursday, Grammar U18 team manageress Bulouvola Wainiqolo said everything now depends on their players.

“This game is very important, if we want to qualify for the national quarterfinals.” she said.

“The school, parents and ex-scholars have been helping out the team during their preparation.”

She said the players have been told that this is their last shot if they really want to win the Deans Trophy.

“It should come from them,” Bulouvola said.

She said the panel of coaches has done their best in preparing the team for the playoffs.

“Whatever the coaches had taught the players will be helpful in their deciding match against Marist.

“We would like to improve our discipline and decision making on the field as it was our weakness from our (semifinal) loss to Mahatma Gandhi Memorial School (MGM) last week.”

Bulouvola said the team’s strength lies in the players’ good character traits.

“We have values in sports and the mission of the rugby sporting committee for Suva Grammar is building the character of these students,”
she said.

“Winning will be the icing on the cake.”

Bulouvola said the Marist Brothers High School has a strong U18 team, as they are capable of making a comeback like in 2022 where they won the Vodafone Deans Trophy.

“We are not looking down on Marist as we know how good they are,” she added.

Bulouvola said they would appreciate the players giving everything into the game despite the final result of the playoffs.

“This is our last chance for the Deans and such chance only comes once. We would like our ex-scholars, parents to come down to the field and show their Grammarian spirit.”

The match kicks-off at 4.45pm at the HFC Bank Stadium, Suva.

WHAT’S ON TODAY?

Venue: HFC Bank Stadium, Suva.
8.30am U14 Final Mahatma Gandhi v Marist Brothers
9.35am U15 Final Suva Grammar v Marist Brothers
10.50am U16 Final Nasinu Secondary v Naitasiri Secondary (Raluve)
11.55am U16 Final Suva Grammar v Marist Brothers
1.15pm U17 Final Marist Brothers v Nasinu Secondary
2.40pm U18 Final Nasinu Secondary v Lomary Secondary (Raluve)
3.40pm U19 Final Naitasiri Secondary v Nasinu Secondary
4.55pm U18 Playoffs Suva Grammar v Marist Brothers
6.15pm U18 Final Nasinu Secondary v Mahatma Gandhi

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