Playing against his fellow countrymen will always be an emotional yet tough encounter in the rugby career of All Blacks Fijian sensation Sevu Reece.
His father William Reece shared this at their Namaka, Nadi home on Thursday after receiving a surprise morning call from his son to share the good news that he has been named yet again in the All Blacks starting line-up to face the Flying Fijians in their second Test match in Hamilton, New Zealand tonight.
“That’s the crunch part, being a Fijian and always having to play against Fijians… it’s tough to him and tough to the family,” Mr Reece said.
“I mean you know you always expect your kids to represent your nation but in this instance, he made a decision we just have to support him.
“It was a quiet one for us last weekend because we did not have families coming around to support like they always did whenever Sevu played and it was just us at home cheering for Sevu all the way.”
Mr Reece said the family got emotional in last week’s test match seeing the Fiji national anthem sung with his son on the opposing team. He said it was not an easy feat for Sevu to play against his fellow countrymen and those he had played with during his kaji rugby days in Nadi.
“It’s always a proud moment, they say if you can’t play for your country, at least play against them. The message to him last week was very simple, he needs to go out there and perform, he has chosen the All Blacks so we always encouraged him to give his best.
“I told him this morning, you just have to improve on the little things and the overall aspect of the game.”
He added his son would always remember these two Test matches in his entire rugby career.
“We are ready with our All Blacks jerseys and flag to cheer on Sevu as he takes on Fiji again this weekend.
“We also want to wish the Flying Fijians all the best this Saturday.”
