Former Fiji Warriors scrumhalf Samu Laqai dedicated his time to passing his rugby knowledge to younger player as he looked to hang his boots at the end of the 2024 season.
The 36-year-old was playing for Tabadamu over the weekend where they won the second Rangers Viti Natusara 7s title.
The Nadroga man said he wants to use this season just to give back at home by nurturing young talents in rugby.
“This is my last year in competitive rugby. I’m just enjoying rugby with Tabadamu, I was part of this club in 2015 before I went overseas, came back in 2017 and I’ve been devoting my time helping the younger players.
“I’m just playing sevens at the moment. I have no plans to join the Nadroga 15s team so I’m thinking to hang these boots after the Nawaka 7s this year.”
Laqai added that Fiji is never short of new rugby talents.
“I’ve been seeing a lot of promising players at the age of 20, 21 and I believe considering the players in Tabadamu within the ideal playing age, the oldest is just 27-years-old.
“Rugby is like a doorway to better opportunities for most of these players.
A prime and most recent example in Paula Nayacakalou who came through Tabadamu so other players can directly go overseas if they really do well.
“All the players in this squad from the youngest to the most experienced, we try to push each other and compete for a final spot while preparing for a 7s tournament.”
The veteran played sevens and 15s rugby for Nadroga in the provincial level.
He was part of the Fiji Warriors team in 2015.
