Reaping the harvest of a seed containing a patriotic vision sown by his father is how former Flying Fijian flanker Koli Sewabu described the genesis of his journey to donning the white jumper.
He expressed those sentiments when asked how he became part of the national team, when he was called up to play in the Flying Fijians tour of the United Kingdom in 1998.
“This started way early as a young boy, where my old man would take me to any Fiji game played in Suva,” Sewabu recalled.
“The seed of wearing the white jersey was planted back then. The journey became a reality when playing in NZ, where discipline, science and mentoring became a daily thing.
“The rest became history.”
He said it was a powerful and emotional experience being in the white jersey, adding it evoked a strong sense of national pride and connection to the Flying Fijians.
“The journey and years of toil, blood, sweat and tears flashed before my eyes when the national anthem was sung.
“My family, my spheres of influence flashed before my eyes in an instance, how much they meant to me and how they have sacrificed to get me to where I was that day- the connection to my heritage, my vanua, my chiefs.
“I thought of the days of sacrifice and commitment- it was all worth it. I also, very quickly, reminded myself that while it was hard to get to.”
As he revelled in his elevation to national representation, he was also aware of the stakes at hand in having to remain consistent on the field.
“I also, very quickly, reminded myself that while it was hard to get to that environment and space, it is a lot harder to stay there, so I need to work extra hard, with the utmost respect for the jersey and what it meant physically, emotionally, psychologically and spiritually,” the Navuso, Naitasiri gentleman emphasized.
It was one thing to be named in the team, don the white jumper, remain consistent and absorb the magnitude of his inclusion on himself and his loved ones, and an entirely different yet aligned feeling when he would join his teammates in performing the ‘cibi’ before every match.
He recalled it as an avenue where ‘it connected me to the legacy of success and the fighting spirit to give it my all.’
Sewabu is now the acting chief executive of the Fiji Rugby Union.
Meanwhile, as the Flying Fijians play their first Test against the Wallabies this Sunday, he reminded them of the legacy woven into the jersey.
“When you are called up to represent our national team, you are handed with more than just a jersey- you have been entrusted with a legacy.
“It is not just a fabric, it represents identity, resilience, and the hopes of an entire nation.”
Fiji will face the Wallabies at 3.30pm on Sunday.
