Former Flying Fijians and Har­lequins first five-eight, Waisea Luveniyali, is assisting the Ba Provincial Free Bird Institute Un­der-18 rugby side in their prepara­tion to face Marist Brothers High School in tomorrow’s Vodafone Super Deans Trophy semi-final at Prince Charles Park, Nadi.

Luveniyali is the latest former star player or coach to help one of the four secondary schools who have made the semi-finals.

Natabua High School (NHS) roped in former Fijian men’s sevens coach Iliesa Tanivula, and Nadi assistant coach Cohen Politini. They are for­mer students of the school.

Marist Brothers High School (MBHS) secured the services of Fi­jiana women’s sevens coach, Saiasi Fuli, who helped plot Ratu Kada­vulevu School’s (RKS) downfall in the quarterfinal.

Luveniyali, who captained Queen Victoria School (QVS) during the 2004 Deans Trophy competition, was spotted on Wednesday assisting the Ba Pro backline at Delaisaru.

Principal Waliki Nasau said the school was grateful to get some for­mer national reps to assist in their campaign. He said this year was a milestone for the institution, as they have twice won the national secondary schools Under-19 rugby league title, and reaching the Deans Trophy semi-final for the first time.

The school has produced top rugby players like Eroni Sau and Amini­asi Tuimaba, who are now playing in France.

“The good thing about us is that we are not like any other school because it’s very hard to bring out­siders to join our panel of coaches and the team management,” Nasau said.

“We brought in one of the old scholars, but overall, our teachers have gone through workshops and coaching clinics. They are now ac­credited coaches.

“It’s a great opportunity where we are reaping the fruits since our teachers are also performing well in the classrooms. And now it’s gone to the playground when we see our team coming up in the semifinal for the first time.”

A key component of the team’s success is discipline.

“We emphasised this to the stu­dents and not only to the players. If you are disciplined you will do well in all aspects of life, in the class­room, and outside,” he said.

Big support

Nasau said the support of the old scholars’, right from rugby league to rugby, was overwhelming.

“It’s another way of bringing them together. For Ba Pro, this is a big way of bringing all old scholars together, parents and guardians, to motivate the players to perform.”

Since the Deans Trophy semi-fi­nals are hosted in the West, they are looking forward to it.

“It’s been long overdue for us to reach the Deans semi-finals or even the final. The semi-final crowd will be a big boost for the boys, and we are looking forward to it. At the mo­ment, we’ll keep a low profile, but we are going to do our best on Sat­urday.”

Match kicks off at 3.35pm.

Story By: waisean@fijisun.com.fj