New schools face a baptism of fire in the Fiji Secondary Schools Rugby League competition tomorrow.

Schools like Kalabu Secondary, Rishikul Sanatan College, Pt Sheedhar Maharaj College and St Vincent College will make their debut this weekend.

This is during the Vodafone South Eastern Zone Secondary Schools Rugby League quarterfinals at the St Marcellin Primary School ground in Suva tomorrow.

Zone president Penaia Qalituraga said the fixture should be an exciting one.

“This is the first time in history as Rishikul Sanatan College will play against a big team like the Lelean Knights,” he said.

“They have made it to the quarterfinals and they will play a very physical game.

“St Vincent College, situated near the Natovi Jetty in Tailevu, are here for exposure.

“There will be no other time that Kalabu Secondary will play Ratu Kadavulevu School so this is the only opportunity for them to play with the champs.

“They really played well during the pool games.”

Qalituraga added that rugby league gives the opportunity for new schools to play against the powerhouse of rugby league.

“That is one thing about rugby league as we give the opportunity for the smaller schools to play against the big ones,” he said.

“It’s good to see that we have reached out to schools and that is a good sign to see that our Indo Fijian schools joining the competition.

“Not like in the Vodafone Fiji Secondary Schools Rugby Deans competition where only the big schools play against each other.

“For rugby league we are transparent in seeing that the sport is developed and well received by the small schools.”

Kalabu Steelers will take on RKS Eels in the first quarter-finals in the Under-17 grade while Sheedhar Sharks will take on neighbors Sila Sharks in the U15 grade and Rishikul Raiders will take on powerhouse Lelean Knights in the U17 grade.

Meanwhile, the U19 grade competition has another three weeks before the top eight teams will advance to the national quarterfinals.

Feedback:  simione.haravanua@fijisun.com.fj