Susana, the wife of the late Etuate Waqa was in tears when she received his plaque during the Fiji National Rugby League 30th anniversary dinner on Wednesday night.
Susana, who hails from Vunuku Village in Moala, Lau said she wished her husband was alive to witness this auspicious moment.
Eddie, as he commonly known, was part of the first Fiji rugby team in 1992 that played in the Winfiled 7s in Sydney.
He was 29 years old and played for Nadera in rugby union competition when he was select to play for Fiji in two occasions.
Waqa was among the influential second row players in Fiji.
He died when he was 54 years old.
He was among the first local seven players who switched to rugby league in 1993 along with Noa Nadruku, Pauliasi Tabulutu, Alifereti Dere and Niko Baleivereta.
Susana was emotional and thanked Fiji National Rugby League for remembering her late husband.
“I’ve been supporting right until his passing and I am grateful to God for his talent,” she said.
“As a wife your duty is to support your husband in everything they do.
“He was passionate for rugby and rugby league and we’re grateful that Sisa followed his step to become a league player.
“His always supporting the players, teams giving advice to whoever needs it and I am proud of him and his achievement.
“But I only wish he was here so that I can accompany him and thank him for what he has done to the sport of rugby league.”
The former Fiji and Tonga 7s coach and former dual rugby international, would be remembered by many as one of the best rugby mentors the country had produced.
