QVS Under-16 opts for underdog tag
They were defeated by MGM in the national quarter-final and semi-final in 2024 and 2025, respective
Monday 17 August 2026 | 11:00
Queen Victoria School Under-16 side following their win against Mahatma Gandhi Memorial High School at Buck hurst Park, Suva on August 15, 2026.
Photo: Sereana Salalo-Baleiwai
Queen Victoria School Under-16 has embraced the underdog tag ahead of Saturday’s Vodafone Deans final against Suva Grammar School.
It was a sweet victory for the young Victorians last Saturday when they came from behind to edge Mahatma Gandhi Memorial High School 17-15.
They were defeated by MGM in the national quarter-final and semi-final in 2024 and 2025, respectively.
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Technical director Anare Sovanivalu said they would give it their all in the final.
“We are proud to come in as underdogs,” Sovanivalu said.
“Winning the final will be a bonus for us.
“In terms of development, we have achieved our target this year. We lost in same final last year, and now we have one step up to the final game.”
He added that they understood Suva Grammar would not be an easy side.
“The boys know how important this will be, especially for the U8 bowing out in the elimination.
“They have been coming in and they know that they are fighting for the school name and QVS as a whole - for the teachers, for the old boys, and for the parents.”
Sovanivalu said they would polish their defence.
“Playing catch up rugby is nothing new,” he said.
“We played one of the best teams who were the finalists last year. We knew that we would be coming to play catch up rugby. It was just for us to hold on to our belief in and trust the boys that they would do the job.
“Now it's back to the drawing board. We'll get back to Matavatucou and prepare for the finals.”
The final will be held at the National Stadium in Suva.
