Nadroga Rugby Union has produced players who have made headlines on the international arena.
One such player is Akapusi Qera, who is the brother of current Nadroga Rugby Union president Tiko Matawalu.
Qera played an instrumental role in Fiji’s win over Wales at the 2007 Rugby World Cup battle which will arguably go down into history books as one of the biggest RWC shockers.
Qera, who donned the Nadro jumper from 2005-07, joined the Stallions at the age of 19, and he won the Fiji Cup in 2005 with them.
He also won the Sanyo Cup and Farebrother-Sullivan Trophy with the Stallions in 2006.
Qera played alongside Nadroga players Isoa Neivua, Kele Leawere, Aca Ratuva and Jone Daunivucu, and in the climax of Pool B, Wales and Fiji locked horns in a clash which decided who would qualify for the quarters.
Wales coach Gareth Jenkins had assembled their best with the likes of the late Gareth Thomas, Mark Jones, Tom Shanklin, James Hook, Shane Williams, Stephen Jones, Dwayne Peel, Alix Popham, Martyn Williams, Colin Charvis, Ian Evans, Alun Wyn Jones, Chris Horsman, Matthew Rees, Gethin Jenkins, Rhys Thomas, Duncan Jones, Ian Gough, Michael Owen, Michael Phillips, Jamie Robinson and Dafydd James.
Fiji coach Ilivasi Tabua had named the likes of Kameli Ratuvou, Vilimoni Delasau, the late Seru Rabeni, Seremaia Bai, Isoa Neivua, Nicky Little, Mosese Rauluni, Sisa Koyamaibole, Akapusi Qera, Semisi Naevo, Ifereimi Rawaqa, Kele Leawere, Jone Railomo, Sunia Koto, Graham Dewes, Vereniki Sauturaga, Henry Qiodravu, Wame Lewaravu, Norman Ligairi, Sireli Bobo, Aca Ratuva and Jone Daunivucu.
The game was played at the Stade de la Beaujoire in front of 37,080 spectators. Australian ref Stuart Dickinson was given the ominous task of refereeing the hard-hit battle.
The first half belonged to the Pacific islanders. Qera crossed the line and scored the first try, and Fiji brimmed with confidence as the late Rabeni combined with Nicky to release Delasau down the right touchline, who demonstrated his footballing skills in a neat chip over the top.
The bounce dropped into his hands, and he dropped to his knees to finish one of the tries of the tournament.
Two further penalties from Nicky left the score line at 18-3. Qera was brought down, but a pick-and-go by Kele, and the conversion from Nicky, ensured that Fiji led 25-3.
Popham bundled over, and this instilled Welsh fans with a glimmer of hope.
Shane then raced under the posts to bring Wales back into the match.
Wales was rewarded for a strong attacking scrum, and the late Thomas sped over the line to bring Wales within three points of the islanders.
Mark Jones dived into the corner, and sent Wales into a 29-25 lead.
Clumsily, Wales gifted Nicky with two shots at goal.
Martyn Williams intercepted an inviting, looping pass from Nicky, and coasted over the try-line to put the Welsh in the driving seat going into the final seven minutes.
Unfortunately for Wales, there was a sting in the tale as Dewes muscled his way to make it 34-36.
After the crucial conversion, Fiji dumped Wales 38-34 out of the RWC in emphatic style.
That victory to-date, is our best against the Dragons!
- Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam is a regular contributor to this newspaper and the views expressed in this article are his and not necessarily of The Fiji Times.
