Three years after making the Fiji U16 rugby team, former Holy Cross College student Janeiro Wakeham has hit the big time in professional rugby.
The 18-year-old lock has this week signed a three-year deal with top French club Stade Francais.
Wakeham who stands at 2m08 was first identified by FRU development officer Bill Gadolo in 2018 and was called to join the national U16 team in Suva.
In an interview with this newspaper after he was selected in 2018 Wakeham said he knew that it was the opening of a new chapter in rugby career.
“When I answered the phone call from Bill Gadolo, I thought it was the police, but when he told me that he can help develop my rugby skills to be a future Flying Fijian, I knew this is an opportunity to pursue my dream as a young rugby player,”Wakeham said.
The Cakaudrove lad will not waste the opportunity given to him as it will be a life changing experience Wakeham said he was inspired by two national rugby players in former Nadi, Fiji 7s and Flying Fijians Semisi Naevo and current Flying Fijians lock Leone Nakarawa.
“My dad told me to look up to Nakarawa because of his achievements in the world of rugby and make it my aim to be like him in the future,” he said.
Wakeham played for the Suva U20 in the Skipper Cup competition.
