LAMI High School’s under-17 rugby league team celebrated a significant milestone by defeating Nasinu Secondary School with a 2-0 score in the Southern Zone of the Fiji Secondary Schools Rugby League (FSSRL) competition. This victory not only highlights their fierce competitiveness but also marks a historic moment for Lami, who have traditionally faced challenges against the well-established Nasinu team.
Key player Meli Semese played a crucial role in securing the win by successfully converting a penalty in the second half, demonstrating his composure under pressure. Team manager Poasa Soqonakoula expressed immense pride in the team’s performance, noting the physicality of the match and the preparations that went into facing their formidable opponents. “We prepared well and knew taking on Nasinu wouldn’t be easy. They’ve been giants in this competition for a long time,” he remarked.
Despite the win, Soqonakoula recognized areas for improvement, particularly in team discipline and the kicking game. “Discipline nearly cost us the game, and our kicking game needs work. We’ll address these to be stronger next week,” he stated, underscoring the commitment to continually enhance their performance.
A key objective for the Lami High School team is to provide their players with exposure to high-level competition, aiming to catch the attention of scouts. “Our main objective is to expose our boys to this level of competition. Coming from a small school with talented players, it’s important scouts see them. Winning these first two games is a bonus, but the real success would be if some of our boys get picked this year,” Soqonakoula explained.
The team began their tournament journey with an impressive 22-14 victory over RSMS and is looking forward to their upcoming match against Nuku Secondary School next week. This recent win serves as a testament to the determination and potential of Lami High School’s Under-17 team, marking what could be a promising season filled with opportunities for recognition and success ahead.