Ra High Back After 5 Years
The Apenisa Tumada captained- Ra High School Under-19 rugby team has returned to the Vodafone Deans Trophy competition after a five-year lapse.
Sunday 21 August 2022 | 20:09
Ra High School Under-19 rugby team is back playing in the Vodafone Deans Trophy competition. Photo: Supplied
The Apenisa Tumada captained- Ra High School Under-19 rugby team has returned to the Vodafone Deans Trophy competition after a five-year lapse.
During that period, the school had been participating in rugby league.
School head coach Josaia Rasiga said on Friday 19th August, they were unable to compete in the Deans Trophy competition due to financial constraints.
“We are in the development stage to adapt and our transition to rugby is on track so far,” Rasiga said.
“We are trying to develop our under-18 team to reach that stage where the bigger schools are.”
One of the morale boosters for the school is that the Silktails RLC delivered new gym equipment for the school, last month.
“We don’t have the size for the front rows, which we have to develop to hold the scrum; this is crucial in union. In rugby league it is not a big deal.”
He said four of their players were being monitored by North Queensland Cowboys. They are Tumada Bill Taria (centre), Usaia Koro (centre), Jone Bogiono and Salesi Vuke (wing).
The side lost to Ba Methodist High School 24-13 in the final of the Ba/Tavua/Ra Zone last week.
In the pool games they thrashed Nakauvadra High 39-0, and Rakiraki Public 34-9.
U15
Bogiono, a native of Burenitu, is the captain of the U15 team which qualified for the Western Secondary Schools playoff in Nadi next week.
During the final last week, the side edged Xavier College 3-0.
In pool play, they defeated Tavua District School 34-0 and Nakauvadra High School 33-0.
U16
The Savenaca Naqari captained- U16 side has made the cut for the play off too despite the 13-10 loss to Ba Methodist High School in the zonal final.
The side defeated St Francis College 16-3 and Rakiraki Public 5-3.
Naqari, who is from Nababala, Tokaimalo, Saivou in Ra has been very promising at No.8.
He is looking forward to a torrid match next week.
Meanwhile, the Nadroga Navosa Zone round four was on Saturday 20th August, in Sigatoka. This will determine teams that will proceed to the Western Secondary Schools playoffs.
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