Tadulala and his last World Cup hurrah November 06, 2008
Scoring two tries for the Fiji Bati in their last pool match against Scotland at the Rugby League World Cup in Gosford last night was another feather in the hat of veteran Fijian centre Semi Tadulala in his long career as a professional player.
Despite Fiji’s loss the 35 year old Yacata native from Cakaudrove in Vanualevu is over the moon with the two tries and gives thanks to the almighty for giving him the chance to spread the gospel of the game.
“I am the oldest in the team and I am the only survivor of the last world cup,” said Tadulala after the game “It is a momentous an emotional moment for me as a veteran professional rugby league player,” he said
“The boys are beating themselves up for the loss as we gave the game away in the end but scoring two tries for my home country is the highlight of my career.”
“This is my last world cup, time to hang up my boots and give a chance to the younger Fijians and I take all these beautiful memories with me,” Tadulala who has extended his stay with the Bradford Bulls said.
So what is the secret for this six foot one utility back, the oldest in the RLWC?
"God has given me so many lifelines," Tadulala says, smiling. "He walked me down that path so now I can give my testimony.
What I'm doing with my life now . . . it's why God kept me alive," he told the Herald Sun.
Tadulala says has come a long way from a world of drugs, gangs and women what he says is “life with the devil.”
“I’ve lived with the devil – drugs ranging from cocaine, ecstasy, speed, alcohol, gangs, jail cell,
guns, dodging bullets, women and practically being killed many times.”
“But two years ago I gave my life back to God after finding myself at a church in Bradford – I broke
down and cried like a baby.”
He recalls the time when death was breathing down his neck, being shot at by a Pakistani man after a night out at Bradford.
“Yeah, that one was close," he says. "It started when a mate and I were out late one night and had some trouble with this man, pushing and shoving, nothing too serious.
"But then as we were driving home, he appeared in a huge black van. I mean, it was just like the movies. Sped up alongside and starting ramming us two, three, four times.
"Eventually we went spinning right off the road. Then, as we were climbing out of the car, he speared into us again to finish the job. How we weren't killed . . . only God can throw you a lifeline like that."
So what’s next for Tadulala after the world cup?
He has taken it on himself and will join Bradford bodybuilder Jason Barnett to start a Super Natural – a program that sees the pair visiting schools, jails and youth festivals to talk sport, life and Christianity with wayward kids.
“I’ve lived a meaningless life, I wish that I had found God sooner but it’s never too late to give back to him.”
And its not just Tadulala that has found redemption. NRL reps too have found the light and been
rewarded a successful RLWC campaign ever since they joined camp with the Bati team, raising their hands, singing their hearts out with praises in the changing room before and after a match and training sessions.
Take the Bulldogs centre Darryl Millard for example, who broke down to tears in the locker room after the France victory, testifying for the first time he truly felt the presence of Jesus Christ.
Bati skipper and Newcastle Knights import Wes Naiqama who has been on the wrong side of the law, spending two months behind bars, is going back to his roots finding himself at a church service twice everyday.
"Because being part of this squad, you grow," Naiqama says simply. "Like singing that prayer to God before games, the footy is only moments away yet it's the last thing on my mind . . . I'm at peace."
Bulldogs hooker Aaron Groom’s strong Catholic faith is strengthened every time the team bows their head to pray and uplifted every time they raise their harmonious voices for songs of praise.
Parramatta’s nippy fullback Jarryd Haynes who too has had a controversial season, being shot at outside a Sydney nightclub and had what has been classed a ‘below-par’ campaign with Eels has surprisingly found his form with an outstanding Bati crusade in the RLWC.
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