BEFORE the white jersey, before the World Cup, and before France, former Flying Fijians flanker Aca Ratuva was just another Nadroga boy playing touch on the beach.
The flanker from Yadua village still remembers how it all started and how far the dream took him.
“First of all, it’s a dream come true. And second thing is the weight that comes with wearing that white jumper. So, it has all has excitement at the same time there is a weight on your shoulder, meaning the work that has to be done in that particular match,” he said.
Ratuva made his debut for the Flying Fijians on June 3, 2005, against the New Zealand Māori in Suva.
At the time, he was playing club rugby in France.
“I think I was in France at that year. So, I got a call up from the then Flying Fijians head coach, Wayne Pivac, that’s how I got picked.”
Like many Fijian boys, the dream started young.
“You know, from playing touch rugby, you know on the beach in the village, that’s how the dream was birthed.”
Ratuva left home in his early 20s to chase that dream.
“So that’s when I left home to go to New Zealand to pursue the dream.”
His proudest moment came in the 2007 Rugby World Cup.
“The win against Wales that year in the Rugby World Cup. That was one highlight of my career, knowing that Wales was the current European champion at that year, Six Nation champion at that year. So, we managed to beat them in the last pool game in France.”
Ratuva holds onto one simple lesson.
“There is one advice, hard work pays off. You might not see it now, but definitely, the goods will come but just be determined and continue to work hard in whatever field.”
