Learning to execute his role as needed by his coach was all he tried to do when he was recalled to join the Vodafone Flying Fijians squad for the Pacific Nation’s Cup.
Napolioni Naulia Dawai, said he never thought he would make the team, but when he was selected as replacement to Dominiko Waqaniburotu, it was a dream come true which had the Narewa, Nadi lad on the edge of his seat.
“Honestly no, when I first made the squad I was very excited, I didn’t get the call up but the week after the coach called, I was excited,” Dawai said as he explained moments leading up to when he made up his mind to stamp his mark in the team.
As he goes on to the rugby pitch today at the ANZ Stadium in Suva, Dawai who started his rugby at a young age before his secondary education at Marist Brothers High School and later with the Jetsetters from Nadi acknowledged that his strength was from God.
“Mostly all thanks to God, he’s my source of strength, he gives me honour, and I want to thank him for the many blessings in my life, he has brought me this far in my career.”
And he has not forgotten the woman who stood by his side, Rosi Dawai looking after their two daughters; Adi Marica and Adi Ana back home as he continues with his rugby career in New Zealand since 2011.
“I would also like to thank my family for supporting me day in and day out especially in my rugby, especially just being apart for a long time.”
To Dawai, playing alongside players that he has played with before in the Nadi jets jumper like vice-captain Vereniki Goneva and Viliame Veikoso makes him enjoy being in the team.
“It feels like home I guess, there’s a good bond between the boys, there’s no hierarchy, I thought it was going to be a bit different, but the senior boys are really good, they are taking everybody in saying everyone is the same, you fight your spot.”
