Suva Grammar and Marist to battle for revived Jone Tabuya Shield in U18 Final

This weekend’s Vodafone Southern Zone Secondary School’s Rugby Union under 18 final will see the revival of the Jone Tabuya Shield that will be contested between the two finalists, Marist Brothers’ High School and Suva Grammar School.

Southern Zone Secondary Schools Rugby Union President Rusiate Wadali confirmed the shield's revival during the official launch of the finals, noting that it was previously contested in the Under-19 grade.

Wadali says the winner of this shield will be awarded another $1,000 on top of the normal $1,000 that the Zone offers for the winner of the final, and the runner up will receive $500, top-up from the $500 that is being offered.

Wadali also highlighted the strength of this year’s Southern Zone competition, which engaged more than 27 schools and 78 teams, involving over 3,000 players.

Meanwhile, Marist’s U18 captain Anthony McGowan has wished their opposition from Suva Grammar all the best this weekend and says they are looking forward to a great battle.

McGowan says they are not taking anything away from Grammar, but they are going in to win.

Kick-off times for the finals will be confirmed soon.

The Southern Zone Finals this weekend will see Grammar taking on Dudley High School in the U14 grade, MGM will play Suva Grammar in the U15, Grammar will take on Marist in the U16 as well as in the U17 and U18, while Ratu Simione Matanitobua College will take on Nasinu Secondary School in the U19.