Fiji reps are known for giving their best in sports.
On May 3, 1996, The Fiji Times published how a Fiji rep put his body on the line for the “Noble Banner Blue”.
National sevens rep Ponipate Bainivalu was recovering in Tokyo from the broken leg he suffered in the Japan Seven final when the article was published.
The 28-year-old broke the tibia and fibula in his left leg when he landed awkwardly in a tackle against New Zealand three minutes into the final which was won by Fiji 61-5. He was rushed to Tokyo Medical College Hospital and operated on.
“While waiting for the operation, I asked the doctors who won the match and when they said Fiji won, it cheered me up a bit despite the pain,” said Bainivalu.
During surgery, two titanium rods were pinned through the Nadi player’s leg.
Doctors said the healing process had progressed well and Bainivalu would be able to return home to his wife and three children in Sabeto in three weeks.
He was given crutches and told to make daily walks around the ward to strengthen his leg, after 10 days of being confined to his bed.
“There wasn’t a lot of pain when I used the crutches, but I was scared to put much weight on the leg.
“They told me I’ll be able to start training again in October and I hope I’ll be fit again for the World Cup Sevens next year.”
Bainivalu was well cared for by Fijians residents in Tokyo with regular visits from rugby players and embassy staff who took him the daily papers from Fiji, and ika vakalolo and dalo, to give him a change from the hospital meals.
Fiji Rugby Union administration manager Tevita Ratuva said Bainivalu would stay with embassy staff, if necessary, until doctors cleared him.
“The doctors want to make sure Ponipate’s fractured leg will not develop any complications,” he said.
