The adage ‘don’t judge a book by its cover’ rings true for Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta. For a young man of his stature and build, it was his agility on the rugby field that caught the eye of selectors of the Fijian Drua team.
Cirikidaveta weighs 110kg and towers at 1.94m. Of Maori and Fijian heritage he was single-handedly raised by his mother, who is Ngati Porou, and raised in Te Araroa, a small town in the Gisborne region of New Zealand’s North Island.
He has paternal links to Nabaitavo in Naitasiri, and despite living all his life in New Zealand, Cirikidaveta considers himself a Fijian at heart. He said he was really excited at the opportunity and grateful to the selectors and management of the Drua team for their belief in him to be part of the first Fijian Super Rugby team.
“My biggest goal for 2022 was to make a Super Rugby side and to make it into the Drua is just the icing on the cake, as it will enable me to learn more about my heritage,” he said.
Cirikidaveta revealed how proud and excited his family was for him, knowing how long he had waited for the opportunity
. “Coming into camp, I was really excited to mingle and get to know the boys more, and so far it’s been an overwhelming feeling.
“I’m really proud of how we’ve developed as a team and the faith that binds the team, knowing that we are playing against some of the best players to ever play the game.” He also said he was thankful to the many people who had supported him on his rugby journey.
“I would like to thank my family back home on the East Coast.
“To my uncles, nan and dearest mum, thank you for all the teachings and sacrifices you’ve made for me. “I wouldn’t be here without your tremendous support and love.” Cirikidaveta also thanked his mates and friends who have become his family in Nelson where he lives – for welcoming him and treating him as one of their own. ”
A special mention goes out to my lovely partner, she’s been supporting me ever since I moved to Nelson and is one of my biggest motivators.”
Cirikidaveta was educated at a Total Immersion School in Te Araroa up until 2013.
In 2014, he secured a playing scholarship and attended St Kentigerns College in Auckland from 2014-2016 featuring for the schools 1st XV team.
His strong performances at No 8 for St. Kents earned him spots in the NZ Schools Barbarians side and the Hurricanes U18 side respectively.
He joined the Crusaders Academy at the end of 2016 based in Nelson and chosen to be part of the NZ Maori U18 Development team.
Being an aggressive ball runner, Cirikidaveta was part of the Tasman Mako U19 team in 2017 playing alongside his Fijian brothers Timoci Tavatavanawai who is currently contracted with the Moana Pasifika team and Suva Rugby and Eastern Saints player, Lemeki Cagialau.
With perseverance and determination, he earned a debut for the Tasman Mako team in 2019 coming off the bench in their quest for Premiership victory edging out Wellington in the National Provincial Championship final (NPC).
He featured in all 12 matches of their back-to-back Premiership winning campaign in 2020, amassing 8 appearances for the Makos last year.
Cirikidaveta was also part of the Crusaders pre-season squad in February last year.
His impressive capabilities caught the eye of Drua selectors and he has featured prominently for the side starting at either lock or No 8 in their past 5 games this season.
The lanky Drua forward hopes that his story will inspire young rugby players in Fiji to continue to pursue their dreams.
“All I can say to them is to keep working hard, never give up on your dreams and have fun in doing whatever it is you set your mind to.
“One day you will look back at how far you’ve come and appreciate all the little things that you’ve sacrificed and hardships that you went through.”
