Crawford blown away by Fiji's talent

New Zealand's Evan Crawford was impressed by the talent on display at the Vodafone Deans and Weet-Bix Raluve finals on Saturday.

Crawford leads the Impact Beyond Pasifika (IBP) coaching development programme, funded by Rugby Australia.

"This is my first time at the Vodafone Deans Cup and it has been magnificent, played in some fairly difficult conditions.

"But just to see young athletes, young boys and girls here playing really hard, physical, but absolutely enjoying themselves," Crawford said.

"The thing that's really blown me away is it's a sellout-plus the crowd is unbelievable. I live and come from New Zealand, and we have nothing like this.

"I think that Fiji Rugby and everyone that's involved can be very proud of what's happening here."

Crawford is in the country for the new Na Sako age-grade programme,which began yesterday in Ba.

"Something's happening behind me, but whatever it is, we're here to help grow and develop coaches.

I've got some coaches from New Zealand and Australia.

"We're here to work with Fijian coaches who are coaching these talented kids. So, we're looking forward to it."

The Deans competition was dominated by Suva Grammar School who won three grades, U16, Ul 7 and the Deans Trophy after 21 years.

Mahatma Gandhi Memorial School won the Raluve U18 girls title while Nasinu Secondary School took home the U16 title.

Ratu Navula College and Ratu Kadavulevu School won the U14 and U15 grades, respectively.