Apisai Naevo believes his rugby journey was written long before he laced up his first boots.
He says rugby runs in the veins of Nawaka, where he grew up surrounded by a community and families that produced more than 50 national players across generations.
“When we were born, we were raised with the ball,” Naevo said.
“Playing rugby comes naturally, it is in the blood.”
The former Flying Fijians lock made his debut for Fiji in 1996 against Hong Kong, scoring a try in the 64–11 win that secured his place in the national side.
That moment, he recalls, “kind of stamped my name” in the team and paved the way for appearances in the 1999 and 2003 Rugby World Cups.
Naevo’s path was not always smooth.
After leaving Ratu Navula College to work on the farm, he kept playing for the Nawaka 7s team before joining Nadi.
A move to New Zealand opened the door to professional rugby with Counties Manukau, the Blues and later the Chiefs in Super Rugby.
He said one of the biggest challenges playing rugby back then was the lack of preparation time.
“We’d meet just a week before the game,” he said.
“Now they have proper camps and good planning. A lot has changed for Fiji rugby.”
Naevo was also one of the players who featured in Fiji’s first-ever win over Scotland in 1998, a result he describes as a special moment for the team.
