VETERAN Fiji rugby player Sireli Bobo has pledged his support to Tabadamu hardman Apenisa Cakaubalavu as he prepares to play for the Fiji Airways Fiji 7s team in Hamilton, New Zealand this weekend.
Cakaubalavu and Vatemo Ravouvou will replace Waisea Nacuqu and Apete Daveta who were injured during the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series in Sydney, Australia last week.
Bobo, a former Flying Fijians winger had taken Cakaubalavu to stay with him in July last year as part of his training team “The Providers”.
Bobo said he always reminded him to refrain from spending too much time on social media.
“When you’re on a mission never use your time on unnecessary things such as social media because it can build you up or break you down,” he said.
“Don’t focus too much on social network because some of the things that are posted on it are just too dangerous and too much use of vulgar words that is not appropriate.”
Born and raised at his mother’s village in Waiqanake, Cakaubalavu is originally from Naroi Moala in Lau.
He was a member of the Waiqanake Rugby Club before joining the champion Red Rock Club and then Tabadamu.
He was one of the players groomed by the late Red Rock 7s coach, Lote Rasiga, who also groomed Bobo.
“On my way home I saw him sitting on the side of the road and I decided to stop and asked him if I could drop him home.
“On our way he told me how he used to walk from his home in Waiqanake to the main road if he misses the bus.
“He even walks to town just to get to training and that is what I call sacrifice, all for the love of rugby, so I asked him if he wanted to come and stay with me and he agreed.
“From then until now, I always encourage him to work hard. Since he joined the national team I always remind him to train hard because he’s training with the best rugby players selected from all over Fiji.
“Don’t go there and waste time, respect your coach and team management, respect your fellow players for who they are, respect what they have done for the country but most of all respect yourself.
“There are only 12 players selected so make sure you’re one of those best players.”
Cakaubalavu played in the World Rugby HSBC 7s series in Dubai and South Africa.
The Hamilton 7s will be his third tournament in the series.
