Lomaivuna High takes positive lessons back
The side went through a hiccup on their way to the Southern Zone Secondary Schools Rugby Union (SZSSRU) semi-finals; their team bus could not start, and they had to find an alternative.
Monday 20 July 2026 | 10:00
Weet-Bix Raluve Under-16 Southern Zone semi-finals, Lomaivuna High School players
Photo: Asenaca Ratu
Despite losing in the Weet-Bix Raluve Under-16 Southern Zone semi-finals, Lomaivuna High School players have kept their head held high.
They lost to Suva Grammar School, 7-15, on Saturday.
The side went through a hiccup on their way to the Southern Zone Secondary Schools Rugby Union (SZSSRU) semi-finals; their team bus could not start, and they had to find an alternative.
Team manageress Tavaita Wainiqolo said hiring a carrier was more expensive, but they had no choice.
“We’ve learnt that when the process is right, the result is guaranteed,” Wainiqolo said.
“We have to try and push our school bus, so it can start, so that we could make it on time.
“We were really late and only had five minutes of warm-up before jumping into the field.”
Looking ahead
There would be no third-place play-off for the Raluve U16 grade; only the finalists will make it to the national quarterfinals.
“Whatever we went through was the weakness of the management; we weren’t able to bring the girls on time.
“If they had been brought here on time, they would have prepared themselves properly before the beginning of the game,” she said.
“I just want to take this time to thank the Lord, because if it wasn’t for Him, we wouldn’t have been here
“For the girls, I believe that nothing happens by mistake, everything is happening according to His will, whether it’s good or bad, it is always under His plan.
“We believe that this is a test for them, and we’ve given them words of encouragement.
“It was really hard for them to accept it; however, everything happened according to God’s will.
“So we will be looking forward to next year for an improvement and a better comeback.”
SGS face Nasinu Secondary School in the U16 final while MGM takes on Lomary Secondary School in the Raluve U18 final.
Southern Zone semi-finals results
Deans: U15: Suva Grammar School 15-17 Nasinu, Marist Brothers High School 16-7 Gospel, U16: MGM 18-11 SGS, Nasinu 16-15 Marist, U17: Naitasiri Secondary School 7-34 SGS, Gospel 15-10 Marist, U18: Marist 17-22 Nasinu Secondary School, SGS 24-15 RSMS.
Raluve: U16: Lomaivuna 7-15 SGS, Nasinu 24-12 Dudley, U18: MGM 19-0 Nasinu, Lomary Secondary School 20-7 Ratu Latianara College.
