‘For Iosefo’
Going into Saturday’s Vodafone Super Deans Trophy grandfinal against Marist Brothers High School will be an emotional moment for the Suva Grammar School Under-18 rugby side.
Not because they will be without their star halfback Philip Baselala and fullback Sairusi Masi, who leave this morning with the Fijian Under-18 side to New Zealand.
It is the memories of their prop Iosefo Tikoisolomone who passed away in July.
Tikoisolomone died after a short illness and his team-mates accompanied his body to Qamea, Taveuni, for burial.
After Grammar’s 30-26 win over Natabua High School in the semifinal, team manager Bulou Vola Wainiqolo said every game they played was emotional for them because they always thought of Tikoisolomone.
“Sefo was one of the core players in the team, especially in the front row where he keeps urging the boys on,” an emotional Wainiqolo said.
iosefo Tikoisolomone
“The boys were emotionally heart broken when Sefo let us.
“Every time the boys talk about him they are always in tears.
“This has been motivating them (the team) to keep on achieving the targets that they had been working on with Sefo, right from the start.”
Wainiqolo said the team is committed to keep on doing that right to the grandfinal.
“This is because if Sefo was alive this was what he would have wanted,” she said.
Grammar U18 captain, Livai Tawake said they remembered Tikoisolomone’s family after their semi-final win.
“He (Iosefo) was with us during our off season training, he was supposed to start and then things did not go as expected,” the burly hooker said.
“We dedicate this (semi-final) win to Iosefo’s family back in Qamea especially to his parents. I know his parents must have watched our game and the win is for them.”
Trailing Natabua High School 19-15 at halftime, Tawake said the message was to stick together, don’t look back but stay strong.
He also indicated that they are aware that Baselala and Masi won’t be available for the final.
“We will try and build-up as they will be joining the national Under-18 side for the New Zealand tour but we will try our best to work together.
“We will use the same approach we have been doing for the past weeks.”
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