Hard-running loose forward Sailosi Rabonaqica is just 24-years-old, plays rugby all his life and has a big dream of being rated as a world best forward.
He wants to be the mean machine of Fiji rugby 7s-like Rambo in actor Sylvester Stallone's movies.
His powerful performance at number eight or last-man-down in 15s rugby has earned him a spot in the Fiji 7s squad in the IRB 7s Series last season and making a comeback to the side gives him another chance to prove his capabilities.
“Being selected into the 7s training squad is a big boost to my rugby career. I believe the selectors know what I’m capable of and I’m here to prove myself,” he said.
“I started playing rugby when I was young but began to take rugby more seriously when I was recruited at the Nadi Muslim Rugby Academy in 2004. My selection into the Fiji 7s squad last year became my biggest rugby achievement, I want to become one of the best forwards in both 7s and 15s and I know that I still have along way to go.”
The Nakalavo Villager in Nadroga indicated that his biggest challenge is to fight for a spot in the final squad which will be announced by Coach Waisale Serevi this morning.
“Our biggest focus this season is the 7s World Cup and we’re fortunate to have Serevi back as our coach. He is very inspiring and being in this squad is all about learning. Sometimes our training gets really tough but it’s all part and parcel of being in this squad and I’m grateful to have the support of everyone back home.
“There a lot of experienced players in the squad and we all share the same intention of being selected into the final 12-member team.”
Rabonaqica plays club rugby with Yalovata Rugby Club in Sigatoka and went on to represent Nadroga in the 2007 Sanyo Cup tournament under the guidance of Reverend Joji Rinakama. He was eyed for his potential and was drafted by Sharks coach Ifereimi Tawake during the 2008 Colonial Cup competition.
He made his first international debut in the Fiji Under-18 rugby 7s team that claimed bronze medal in the 2004 Commonwealth Youth Games in Australia and earned his first Test call-up for the Flying Fijians clash against Japan after Gloucester-based Akapusi Qera was ruled out following a knee injury.
News on
RSS 
