Rafaele Dagaga, the captain of St. Theresa Nukubalavu’s Under-20 team, is adopting a hopeful perspective following his team’s semifinal exit against the Village Boys in the youth category of the McDonald’s Coral Coast 7s. Dagaga views the experience as a crucial learning chance for his young players, who demonstrated commendable growth during the tournament.
This edition of the Coral Coast 7s was particularly significant for Nukubalavu, marking their first-ever participation in the event. Despite the disappointment of their loss, the team exceeded expectations by advancing to the semifinals, competing against teams with far more experience.
“Yes, we’re disappointed with the loss, but we’ll take the learning,” Dagaga reflected on the team’s journey. “We did not expect to even make it to the semifinal since this is our first time participating in the Coral Coast 7s.”
Looking ahead, Dagaga expressed optimism about the future. The challenges encountered throughout the tournament have highlighted areas where the team can grow and improve before their next competitions. “We’ll go back and work on our errors,” he stated, underlining that the exposure gained at the Coral Coast 7s will play a significant role in the team’s long-term development.
The Coral Coast 7s continues to take place at Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka, providing a platform for young athletes to showcase their abilities, enhance their skills, and gain invaluable experience through competitive play. This event not only inspires participants but also contributes to the future of rugby in the region, as young players learn and evolve within such a vibrant sporting environment.