FIJI 7s rep Isake Katonibau is like actor Jason Statham this week in the movie Transporter.
Statham acted as Frank Martin, an ex-Special Forces operator who was on hire as a mercenary transporter — any goods from one place to another, no questions asked. Sometimes dangerous,complicated, risky assignments involving life and death, but he always succeeded — goods delivered on time.
Katonibau, 33, is a lieutenant in the Republic of Fiji Military Forces.
He is known as one of the best on-the-field leaders in 7s rugby and was among key players in the past three years under former Vodafone Fiji 7s coach Ben Ryan.
Nicknamed ‘Ice’ as short form of his name and because of his stern leadership qualities, the Army Rugby Club forward is back in the national side after his impressive performance in last week’s Fiji Bitter Marist 7s in Suva.
Katonibau was named in the national squad for the Rio Olympics last year, but fell short of selection.
This week he has a mission given by coach Gareth Baber who returns to his former home after being selected as the Fijian coach replacing Ryan in January.
The former Hong Kong Rugby Union expat banks on Katonibau’s experience and leadership to mentor the national side in the defence of the Hong Kong 7s title, and to help score Fiji’s first win in the ongoing World Rugby Sevens Series.
The Hong Kong 7s is a darling of Fijians.
Baber said Katonibau would help influence and mentor new players to become good players.
“I saw Katonibau play in the Marist tournament and to me, he had a good work ethic which he applied on the field. His organisation and leadership skills are strong,” Baber said.
“To have someone like that to go to Hong Kong is the biggest thing and to be a role model.
“Players like Setareki Bituniyata, Sevuloni Mocenacagi and you look at Nacanieli Labalaba, Kalioni Nasoko and Mesulame Kunavula who are at the age of 21 and 22. They are the guys I am trying to put in for the next five years for Fiji 7s. If they can pick up on the experience like Ice, and how he goes about things under pressure, they can learn from that,” Baber said.
Baber said having a good role model would help motivate the team’s performance.
“I had good role models in my time when I was a player and then as a coach. I’ve never learn so much if I did not have role models.
“If I can get people like that into our training and in tournaments for us, then I can see other players who come into our environment like the boys who played well in the Marist tournament and get influenced by that very quickly and that is what I really want to rub off on our young players,” he said.
Meanwhile, the team continues training in Hong Kong.
Fiji is pooled with New Zealand, Wales and Japan.
Full name: Isake Camaibau Katonibau
Born: May 27, 1983
Age: 33
Team: Fiji
Position: Foward/Centre
Height: 6ft 3in
Weight: 210 lb
