When five young men from Malolo stepped onto the field for their first-ever Skipper Cup match against Naitasiri earlier this year, few could have imagined that the same team they faced in round one would meet them again in the grand final. Fewer still could have predicted that at the end of that journey, their names would be called into the national sevens development squad under Osea Kolinisau.
That journey, from the opening whistle of the Skipper Cup to the call to come to Suva and then to Korea has become a story of faith and community.
A Homecoming of Heart
Last week, the story came full circle. Douglas Daveta, Tomasi Tawake, Aminiasi Naituyaga, Esala Nalobo, and Isaia Rugu alongside other national reps returned from Korea to a private and emotional celebration at the residence of the Gone Turaga na Tui Lawa, Ratu Iliesa Naitauniyalo, in Lautoka. It was not just a welcome home, but a reminder of how and why their rugby journey began, and where they continue to be nurtured.
The Tui Lawa spoke with pride, assuring the five that their achievements were celebrated not only by the Vanua o Lawa but by the whole of Fiji.
“You are the example of what happens when you put your mind to the task. You have been dedicating your lives and career to God, and He has lifted you up and opened the door that only He could have opened.”
“You came through the club level competitions and proved yourselves, then you moved to the provincial level and now you’ve made it to the national 7s development side and that’s a testament of your commitment and sacrifice.
The high chief urged the men to keep working hard and honoring those who have helped them along the way.
“People will not see the sacrifice you do behind the scenes. People will not see what you and your family go through during the tough times, the hours you spend away from them. But know today that God sees everything and He has honored you.”
“Be faithful in the little things and God will bless you with more. Honor God and watch Him do great things in your midst.”
Led by the Radini Vanua o Lawa, Adi Mereani Tabusoro, the women of Yaro, spread beautiful mats and prepared a feast worthy of the occasion. This special gesture was to remind the boys that they are not just rugby players but sons of Malolo and Nadroga.
“These are sons of Malolo, sons of Nadroga,” she said. “It is always a privilege to share in their rugby journeys. We are blessed when we see them make headway in rugby and in life. Our role is to nurture, to support, and to remind them that even if things don’t go well on the field, we stand by them.”
Beyond the Field
For these five, what began as just another Skipper Cup season became something extraordinary. Their motto, carried proudly by the Malolo rugby side of “Small Boys, Big Job,” now carries an even deeper meaning. Because they are of the belief that when God moves, no obstacle can stand in the way and when the Vanua surrounds its sons with love, they are never alone.
Their journey is a testament to Fiji’s rugby pathway and also a reminder that behind every player are families, communities, and traditions that shape them and that the sacrifices — the long hours of training, the time away from loved ones, the struggles unseen by the public are carried not just by the players but by their families and villages.
A Story Still Being Written
Their story is one of faith and resilience, but it is also one of community of a Vanua that stands behind its sons, through victories and defeats, through trials and triumphs.
What began as a Skipper Cup season has become a story of destiny. And for five boys from Malolo, it is proof that when God initiates and moves, nothing and no one can stop His purpose.
