Gospel High U18 Sets Deans Target

Clinical and smart forward play to set the space for their fast wingers had been the hallmark of the Gospel High School Under-18 rugby team’s performance.

The side recorded a 15-7 win over Nabua Secondary School in the sec­ond round of the Southern Zone com­petition at the Suva Grammar School ground, last Saturday.

They are hopeful of being one of the three teams from the zone to qualify for the Vodafone Deans Trophy play­offs.

Speaking to SUNsports, Gospel High rugby coach Eparama Tawake said the team would be working on a struc­ture to set their fast backline alive.

“We’ve a good balance of players in the forwards and backline,” he said.

Gospel High School Under-18 rugby side on attack against Nabua Secondary at Suva Grammar School ground on August 7, 2022. Photo: Ronald Kumar

“There are some fast wingers with us, all we need is for our forwards to work hard and provide the platform for them.

“We have a good forward pack, we have the size and height to take care of our set piece play like scrums and line-outs.

“All we need to do is to get the ball out wide fast to beat the opposition’s cover defence.”

Tawake said their preparations have been good every week and he ensures that they build themselves around a winning environment.

He added that they want to create history in this year’s competition.

“The target for the team is to reach the national quarter-finals for the first time in the history of the school,” he said.

“Before we reach the top four of the Southern Zone Deans rugby competi­tion we need to win all our pool games and the quarter-final.

“It’s great to work this caliber of players.

“Every weekend when we come to play, I always remind the boys to treat every game as a final.

“We still have a lot of improvement to do from our previous games so the team keeps learning from their mis­takes.”

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