FORMER Nadroga rugby rep Etika Tovilevu said the village of Namatakula will not be bothered much about the result of tomorrow morning’s clash between the Wallabies and the Flying Fijians.
Instead they would be more than happy that two of the village’s sons continue the tradition of flying Namatakula in the international rugby arena.
Tovilevu, who himself hails from Namatakula, said Nemani Nadolo and Tevita Kuridrani are first cousins.
“Inosi Turaga, Tevita’s father is the elder brother of Isei Nasiganiyavi whose son is Nadolo. We come from the same clan of Waqanitabua and are very closely related,” he said.
“When Kuridrani was in our village a short time back, I told him my team was and always will be the Wallabies but since Nemani is playing in the Flying Fijians we the villagers of Namatakula would not be concerned much about the end result but are proud that my two cousins are following the footsteps of former Namatakula rugby reps who have represented our provincial Nadroga team as well as Fiji and overseas teams.”
Nadolo will be on the wing for the Flying Fijians while Kuridrani is at centre for the Wallabies.
Former Lelean student Penioni Ratumaimuri recalled he went to school with Turaga and Nasiganiyavi in the late 70’s and early 80’s.
“Inosi was older and helped Lelean win the Deans in 1979 while I played rugby alongside Nasiganiyavi,” he said.
“It’s not surprising their two sons are making waves in world rugby because they were star rugby players in Lelean during our playing days.”