Ex-Bucalevu Gives Back To School, Focuses On Defence
It is their defence that the Bucalevu Secondary School Under-16 girls will bank on to take them through their Raluve semifinal match next week.
Northerners BSS meets Jasper William High School at Prince Charles Park, Nadi on October 1.
Old scholar strength and conditioning coach, Vilikesa Ratu said their defence was key to their win.
Ratu is also S&C coach for the champion Raiwasa Taveuni 7s team and to guide his former school girls’ side for the nationals is an honour.
He also coached the U15 and U17 teams, both teams lost in the national playoffs last Saturday.
“I am an ex-scholar of BSS, when the school management asked me to help in coaching the team I did not hesitate,” Ratu said.
“I devote my time training the girls and boys; I understand that playing rugby at this level would not be easy.
“We are not going to take any team lightly.
We are concentrating on defence so that we can control possession.
“This is the best way to give back to the school.”
BSS beat Southern Zone champions Nasinu Secondary School 5-0 in the quarterfinal last Saturday at Ratu Cakobau Park, Nausori.
Ratu added the Taveuni girls did not have much game time before they qualified as there were only two U16 teams in the Garden Island.
“This is another stage and level, I am glad that they have been doing what they have been taught.”
Teacher Akata Samuri added that majority of the girls travelled for the first time to Viti Levu last week.
“We told the girls we have two more games; semifinal and final,” Samuri said.
“There was tremendous support from our school principal, the school emphasised on women’s rugby and they supported us all the way here.
“For the students; it was the first time for some of them to leave Taveuni and travel to the capital city, that was one of the challenges; especially with big aeroplanes flying over us while we were at Ratu Cakobau Park.
“We are taking one game at a time, we will work on our weaknesses against Nasinu and improve on our next game,” Samuri added.
Raluve Under -16 semifinals on October 1:
Prince Charles Park, Nadi
- 12pm: Sigatoka Methodist High School v Naitasiri Secondary School
- 12:50pm: Jasper Williams High School
Raluve U18
- 1:40pm: Jasper Williams High School v St John College
- 2:30pm: St Bedes College v Natabua High School
Story by: Sereana Salalo
Feedback: sereana.salalo@fijisun.com.fj
