Living a childhood dream, Vodafone Fiji Bati rising star Caleb Navale is following the footsteps of his father, Eparama Navale, at Test level.
Just two games into his Test career with Fiji, Navale has already made a strong impact for the Bati in the Pacific Championship in Papua New Guinea, running 230 metres and making 66 tackles.
A player with great leg speed and a big motor, the 20-year-old is flying the Navale name once again on the international stage, some 23 years after his father represented Fiji at the 2000 Rugby League World Cup.
“It’s been unreal. It’s such a proud moment to wear the Fijian colours and to represent my nation. It’s been enjoyable,” Caleb said.
“I want to make (my dad) proud. It’s meant so much to him seeing his surname on the back of my jersey. Hopefully, I can keep doing it.”
A powerful winger, Eparama played three Test matches for Fiji against Russia, Australia and England after impressing in his first-grade career at the Parramatta Eels (1997-1998) and the Northern Eagles (2000).
He scored eight tries in 16 games for the Eels. His lone try at Test level came against England at Headingley as a Northern Eagles player.
He played just the one game for the Northern Eagles and made his first-grade debut against the North Sydney Bears in 1997 where one of his team-mates that day was Jim Dymock, the current Manly Sea Eagles NRL assistant coach.
Today, it is Caleb that is being spoken about for Fiji after being named in the Bati squad following a very strong season for the Sea Eagles where he took out the Jersey Flegg Best and Fairest award.
He came through the Manly Pathways program and can play Jersey Flegg for the Sea Eagles in 2024.
