13 December, 2025, 12:58 pm Central - 24°C Rain

Team with the right mindset and attitude can win the Deans Trophy – Former Deans winner

Team with the right mindset and attitude can win the Deans Trophy – Former Deans winner

By Mikaele Liga
22/08/2025
Pastor Epeli Ratuniata

The Vodafone Super Deans Trophy will not be won by the team that prays the hardest or sings the loudest to God—but by the team that enters the field with the right mindset, the right attitude, and plays smart, hard, and constructive rugby.

That was the message from Pastor Epeli Ratuniata, a former Deans Trophy winner in 1995, who shared his thoughts with fijivillage Sports.

Pastor Ratuniata, who now serves as a minister with the Assemblies of God Ministry, emphasized what the Deans Trophy means to students, especially those who have shed blood, sweat, and tears in pursuit of it.

He fondly recalled the moment he and his teammates lifted the trophy in 1995.

Pastor Ratuniata recalls one evening the team brought the trophy into the school dining hall during dinner, where the entire school erupted in tears and joy—a moment he says remains unforgettable.

He offered a heartfelt message to the players of both Nasinu Secondary School and RKS, and that is to make a name for themselves.

He also encouraged players from all grades not to stop at the Deans competition, but to chase their rugby dreams and aim for the highest levels of the sport.

QVS will play Grammar in the U14 grade at 8am, Grammar will face MGM in the under 15 grade at 9.10am, and they will play Gospel High School in the U16 final at 11.50am.

Lelean will meet RKS in the U17 grade at 1.10pm, and Tailevu North College will play Nasinu Secondary in the U19 final at 2.50pm, while in the U18 final, Nasinu Secondary will meet Ratu Kadavulevu School at 5.30pm.

In the Weet-Bix Raluve finals, Sigatoka Methodist College will take on Ratu Latianara College in the U16 grade at 10.40am, and Natabua High School will meet Jasper Williams High School in the U18 grade at 4.20pm.

You can catch the live commentaries on our sister station VITIFM and the fijivillage app for the U18 Raluve final and the U18 Deans final between RKS and Nasinu tomorrow.

FNRL
FEATURE NEWS
Moderate chance of TD03F to become a cyclone by Monday
A flash flood alert and heavy rain alert remains in force for the whole of Fiji, and the Tropical Disturbance located near the Solomon Islands which i...
3 hours ago
LATEST NEWS
Yavusa Burenivalu ready to bury remains of Ro Veidovi
The Yavusa Burenivalu are ready to bury the ashes of Ro Veidovi Logavatu, who was taken to the US in 1840 accused of murdering at least ten American ...
51 minutes ago

Naivalurua urges new RFMF recruits to uphold ethics on and off duty
Soldiers must think critically, communicate clearly and uphold ethical standards both on and off duty. Minister for Policing Ioane Naivalurua ...
58 minutes ago

St Christopher’s Home children celebrate early Christmas with Ministry of Information
35 children of St Christopher’s Home in Nakasi were treated to an early Christmas as the Ministry of Information and National Archives of Fiji ...
1 hour ago

Single mother's dedication, resilience and hard work ensures completion of her studies at UniFiji
Despite facing personal challenges, including becoming a young mother at the start of Year 12, Milika Vereivalu from Yalava Village in Macuata says ...
2 hours ago

Flash Flood and Heavy Rain Alerts in force for Fiji
A Flash Flood Alert and a Heavy Rain Alert remains in force for the whole of Fiji.A trough of low pressure remains slow moving over Fiji and it is ...
4 hours ago



Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
IN DEPTH
Sonia Shanaaz says silent treatment hurts as she waits for assistance for her daughter with cerebral palsy
Sonia Shanaaz, the mother of 10-year-old Aarna who was born with cerebral palsy, says silent treatment hurts after she reached out to the ...
1 day ago

I do not support police officers being charged on public opinions and without evidence - COMPOL
Commissioner of Police Rusiate Tudravu says he will stand by his officers, and he does not support any officer being charged based on public opinion ...
1 day ago

Dubai 7s 2025
The Fiji Airways Men’s National 7s side are working on their fitness as they prepare for the start of the 2025/2026 World 7s Series this ...
5 days ago

TOP