School rugby: Fijian rugby team in Rotorua to play 'the best'

Rotorua Boys' High School's Will Florence, 14, scores a try against the under-14 rugby team from Suva, Fiji. Photo / Stephen Parker

An under-14 rugby team from Fiji, eager to learn from the best rugby nation in the world, has played against a side from Rotorua Boys' High School.

The Fijian team, made up of players from Suva, held their own against the local side, but in the end went down 30-17 on Thursday.

Rotorua Boys' High School director of rugby Deon Muir said the game was played in good spirits and was a good learning experience for both sides.

"I thought it was played to a really good standard. The Fijians played with that typical Fijian flair - running it from everywhere and offloading. They were really organised in attack and played with a lot of physicality, but were a bit lost in defence. Our boys really stood up to the occasion playing an overseas team.

"It was good to play against a different style of rugby and, considering we had to pull a team together at late notice, to play like they did was really good. I was really impressed by the standard of players in our team," Muir said.

He said the Rotorua Boys' forward pack played well considering the lack of preparation time before the game.

"The lineouts functioned really well and just being direct in our forwards - carrying hard and strong, body positions and cleanouts were really accurate so we were able to recycle the ball.

"Our backs scored some really good tries, especially in the second half when they started to straighten up a bit. We found in the first half we were sort of shovelling the ball sideways, but once we straightened up and got our passes right there was a lot of space on the outside."

All of the players involved enjoyed the cultural experience.

"I've had a lot of experience playing against and alongside Fijians and they're just good people. They live every moment, love every moment and appreciate everything. They all play with big smiles and play music on the sidelines, it's always a pleasure to be involved," he said.

Suva coach Nasoni Duinaceva said the team came to Rotorua to test themselves against the best.

"New Zealand has the best players in the world and Rotorua Boys' is one of the best schools. It's good experience for our boys to play against them.

"Our team is made up of players from nine different schools in Suva and they are the national champions in Fiji. Some Fijian boys go to school here too, so it was nice to come and see the academy here where they train.

"Rotorua Boys' played a lot better than us, but our players learnt a lot. They did well but there are a lot of areas to work on. The boys really enjoyed it and we hope to come back next year to show that we have improved and maybe play against some other teams as well," Duinaceva said.