HPU behind Ra High’s rise
The HPU served as a specialised regional training hub for rugby league players selected for the Silktails’ development systems.
Wednesday 12 August 2026 | 10:00
Updated 14 August 2026 | 15:57 FJT
Ra High School Under-18 players, from left, Vedusi Saria, Mesake Notu, Samuela Une, Simeli Turagabeci (manager) and Mosese Cabecuva.
Photo: Supplied
The rise of Ra High School to reach Saturday’s Vodafone Super Deans Under-18 semi-final against Suva Grammar School (SGS) in Lautoka, began last year.
Speaking to SUNsports yesterday former Fiji Bati (national rugby league) head coach Joe Rabele said last year Ra High shocked everyone when they won the Vodafone Fiji Secondary Schools Rugby League U19 grand-final.
“Their players had to play-up,” he said.
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This year, Ra High controversially lost 24-28 to Ratu Kadavulevu in the rugby league U19 semi-final, when their last-minute try was disallowed.
However, Rabele highlighted that the difference is that the Kaiviti Silktails High Performance Unit (HPU) was established at Ra High School in 2022.
The HPU served as a specialised regional training hub for rugby league players selected for the Silktails’ development systems.
The facility directly assists Ra High School students and enhances their physical education and competitive secondary school sports programme.
“The HPU is headed by Master Sakiasi (Dausiga) who mentors the players as they follow the training programme from the Silktails. However, that programme is set by NRL club Canterbury Bulldogs,” he said.
The Kaiviti Silktails Rugby League Club is based in Lautoka and plays the New South Wales (NSW) Jersey Flegg Cup competition.
“Some of the Ra High School students are in the Silktails extended squad,” Rabele added.
He indicated that playing rugby league or rugby union does not matter.
“What is important here is for our students to stay away from drugs and use their sporting talents to make it in life.”
Rabele said the Ra High U18 rugby team should not be underestimated at all after they had beaten defending champions RKS 12-10 in the quarterfinal last Saturday.
Rabele applies
Meanwhile, Rabele confirmed to SUNsports that he has re-applied for the Fiji Bulikula (national women’s rugby league) head coach’s job for the Rugby League World Cup in October.
Rabele had been coaching the Bulikula, through the RLWC qualifiers in Canada, where they qualified for the first time. His coaching contract had expired.
