FORMER Flying Fijian Sisa Koyamaibole ranked the Powerade Super Deans Rugby Championship as a platform for grooming future national reps that has drastically improved its standard compared with the previous years.
The three times Rugby World Cup forward said he had been following the Deans competition on television and social media. He said Ratu Kadavulevu School and Cuvu College would bring out the excitement of rugby to another level on Saturday.
The 38-year-old France-based player is on an eight weeks suspension from his Brive club after being spotted for a dangerous play against Waisea Nayacalevu’s Stade Francais side during the French Top 14 competition.
Koyamaibole said the standard of secondary schools rugby had really improved compared with previous years.
“In the Deans competition in the past, we normally see Ratu Kadavulevu School, Queen Victoria School and Lelean Memorial School to feature in the final but now Cuvu College is coming in for the first time,” Koyamaibole said.
“That proves the level of rugby played in Fiji and how it has developed. “Watching the games on the television, it’s surprising to see the teams execute their set piece and game plans, the phases of the games increase and the discipline has really improved. “I wish the very best to all the teams and the teachers and coaches for doing a good job in lifting the standard of performance for the players.”
Koyamaibole is a specialist number eight and also plays flanker. He played for Fiji in the 2003, 2007 and the 2011 Rugby World Cup, and had played for the Fiji 7s team in the world 7s series.
At club level, he has represented Taranaki, Petrarca Padova, Toulon, Sale Sharks, Lyon OU, Bordeaux Bègles and is currently playing for Brive.
He has one month left with his suspension before he finishes off the season and focuses on his new club next year before he plans to retire from playing rugby at the age of 40.
The final of the Deans competition will be held at the ANZ Stadium in Laucala Bay, Suva tomorrow.
