CHAMPIONS aren’t made in gyms. Champions are made from something they have deep inside them— a desire, a dream, a vision. They have to have the skill, and the will. But the will must be stronger than the skill.
This famous quote by boxing legend Muhammad Ali rings true for former Fiji rugby rep and Natabua High School teacher Sairusi Naituku.
Naituku was only four years old when his family moved from their village in Nacavanadi, Gau, to pursue greener pastures in the mainland.
He never imagined that his dad’s decision to relocate the family to Suva enabled him to create a legacy for his family.
The former Suva tighthead prop is a champion in his own right.
The burning desire to fulfil his rugby dream inspired him to come out of his comfort zone and reached the pinnacle of his career to become a rugby household name in the 1980s.
Many young rugby fans may not be familiar with this bulky Gau man but for those that witnessed his games will agree that he is arguably one of the best tighthead prop to graze our shores.
The 54-year-old made his debut in national team in 1983 against the Solomon Islanders and his last game was against Japan in 1990.
He was a member of the first Fiji team that reached the quarter-final of the Rugby World Cup in 1987 and had rubbed shoulders against some of the world’s best players.
Naituku had played against the world heavyweights such as France, Australia, the All Blacks, Wales and England and had travel the world over.
He was the captain of Fiji secondary school and Fiji Colts and was one of the first Fijians to secure a rugby contracts in South Africa.
The Lomaiviti man started his career on the wing and was later shifted to number eight because of his size.
He received his first baptism of fire in 1985 against Samoa when he received an SOS call to play tighthead prop.
Naituku was also part of the South Pacific Babarians team that went to South Africa on a Rebel Tour. The team consisted of players from Fiji, Samoa and Tonga.
Apart from his colourful rugby career, Naituku recently guided the Natabua High School athletics team to its Coca-Cola Games historic victory.
In an interview with Times Sport at his Natabua High School residence, the former rugby star vividly remembers those wonderful rugby moments.
Naituku said one of the best rugby moments was when the then national coach Senitiki Biaukula asked him to shift from his usual number 8 position and played tighthead prop.
He had never played in the position before but his passion for the game and the will to conquer the obstacles motivated him to face the challenge.
He was selected in the Fiji team as a number 8 in 1983 and the game against Samoa in 1985 was the first time for him to play prop.
When the team was announced to the public prior to the test, Naituku was named on the reserve.
Their captain then was Esala Teleni also played number 8 and since Teleni was the captain he has to play and relegated Naituku to the bench.
But because of his built, aggressiveness and guts, Biaukula later changed his decision to include Naituku in the run-on team but on a different position.
It was one of the biggest tests for Naituku because this was a test match and it was his first game as a prop.
He said his passion for the game and the love for the country motivated him to try out his new position.
“I had never played prop but since my coach was also my tauvu from Vanua Levu, I told him I would never back down,” he said.
“I didn’t know anything about prop but all I know I have the passion for the game and I was ready to die for my country.
“Throughout the game I had to work myself out in my new position and I was grateful to successfully complete the game.
“The coaching team approached me after the game and told me to forget playing number 8 but to focus on my new position.”
Naituku then started to learn the technique and skills of a tighthead prop and later mastered the position from 1985 to 1999.
Early days
Like all other young Fijian boys, Naituku always found spare time every afternoon to play rugby.
And during his primary school days, he joined his peers at Annesly Infant School playing the game he loved most during recess and lunch breaks.
He said they used a piece of stick as a ball because it was hard to get rugby balls those days.
Naituku believed the decision made by his father to move to Suva was God’s calling.
“My dad wanted to work in Suva so when the people from my village come to the mainland they don’t have to look for a place to stay,” he Naituku.
“I had no plan of playing rugby but I believe it was God’s calling.
“I didn’t imagine I will play for Fiji or travel the world through rugby but I am blessed that the Almighty God had given me the talent to open many doors of opportunities.”
The family first settled at Toorak upon their arrival from Gau and later moved to Matanisiga Hall which is now the QVS club.
“When we came to Suva we stayed at Toorak near Sunia Cama’s restaurant which was a famous place back then called the Pawpaw.”
“Toorak used to be a dangerous place then, I used to peep from our window and saw drunken men fighting.”
His family later moved to Raiwai and it was here that his rugby career blossoms.
During school days he walked from Raiwai to Annesly Infant School in Toorak and also to Suva Methodist Primary School. It was this humble upbringing that made him to work hard.
He requested his dad to attend Draiba Fijian School because most of his rugby friends were there.
“I was selected on the wing for Draiba and we used to play against other Suva schools every Saturday.
“That is where I met Tomasi Cama, Paulo Nawalu, Elia Rokowailoa, Koli Rakoroi and Epeli Rakai to name a few who I later played with in the national team.”
Naituku attended Ratu Sukuna Memorial School for secondary school education and represented the school team in the Deans Trophy competition.
His big break
Naituku made a big leap towards his rugby career after being named to represent the Fiji schoolboys team.
And the icing on the cake when he was given the captain armband despite the presence of other top players from prominent rugby schools.
“In that team we had the head boy(s) from QVS, Marist, RKS and Lelean and surprisingly I was selected to captain the team,” he said.
“To be named the captain was a humbling experience because it reminded me of my humble beginnings.
His team played against their Australian counter parts which featured Wallabies legend David Campese.
Naituku was also selected to captain the Fiji colts team against Tonga.
Provincial games
While at Ratu Sukuna, Naituku played for the Lomaiviti and Suva Colts rugby teams.
He was a member of the Suva team that won the coveted Farebrother Sullivan trophy from Nadi in 1988.
That Suva team consisted of players such as Mosese Taga, Salacieli Naivilawasa, Usaia Daunivalu, Lai Tawake, Alivereti Dere, Nemani Matirewa, Esala Teleni, Pauliasi Tabulutu, Elia Rokowailoa, Fotu Waqabaca to name a few.
“I still remember in one of those Farebrother games where we defeated Lautoka 76-3 and this is probably one of the biggest scoreline recorded in any Farebrother game,” said Naituku.
“The game was not completed after Lautoka skipper Eneri Ratudradra informed Teleni and the referee to stop the match. We also defeated a star-studded Nadroga team that consisted of high profile players such as Mesake Seavula, Noa Nadruku, Kini Malai, Emosi Katonitabua and Kavekini Nalaga.”
Naituku later represented Rewa in the provincial competition after his then national teammate Jo Rauto told him the team needed a prop.
Milestone achievement
Naituku achieved his ultimate dream in 1983 after he was selected in the Fiji team and dedicated his achievement to his role model dad.
He said the experience of representing the country was second to none and he was happy to make his parents and relatives proud being the first and only player from his village to wear the famous white shirt with the coconut tree emblem on his chest.
“When I was in the Fiji secondary school team, my dad challenged me to beat his record.”
“He told me he represented Gau against Ba and for me to beat his record I must represent Fiji. I was humbled and honoured to be selected in the Fiji team and I thanked my dad for challenging me to achieve my goal.”
After making his international debut against the Solomons in 1983 he continued to fly the Fiji flag on international rugby fields for six long years.
His major achievement was when he helped the national side reached the 1987 Rugby World Cup quarter-finals.
It took Fiji rugby 20 long years to level this record set by Naituku and his teamates after former Wallabies flanker Ilivasi Tabua guided the Flying Fijians to reached the quarter-finals of the 2007 RWC.
Naituku said the World Cup outing was special because the country was in turmoil after a coup by Sitiveni Rabuka.
He said the players wanted to do well for the people of Fiji.
“Training those days was tough under the guidance of Jo Sovau and George Simpkin,” he said.
“We spent more time on running and I think it was the fitness that contributed to our World Cup quarter-final finish.
“I believed the Rabuka coup also motivated us at the World Cup and we badly wanted to do well for the people of Fiji.”
Another unforgettable moment for Naituku was the 1985 rugby Test brawl against Samoa at the national stadium.
Samoa had the services of Taufusi Salesa, Antelea Aiolupo, Lolani Koko.
“The fight involved all players and this was of the unforgettable moments of my career,” he said.
“Players from both teams lined up as we exchanged punches until the police interfered.
“The Samoan team was later guarded by police into their bus and to their hotel.”
In 1989, the battle for a spot in the national team intensified as there were many good players that raised their hands for selection.
He said the tough competition from other players motivated him to walk the extra mile and work hard to maintain his spot in the Fiji team for the France tour.
Naituku said players were committed to their training unlike these days where some players depended on the coach to spoon-feed them at training.
“Before the trials for the 1989 French tour, I woke up at 4am and hit the road training from Raiwai to Walu Bay.
“It took me two hours on the first day and after few weeks I ran the same distance in only 45 minutes.
“During these morning runs I occasionally met up with Tomasi Cama, Elia Rokowailoa, Tom Mitchell, Paulo Nawalu and other national reps on the road doing their own training.
“When I was in the Rewa team, former Fiji and Wallabies rep Acura Niuqila ran from Nakelo to Ratu Cakobau Park for training likewise for Jone Kubu who ran all the way from Navatuvula to Ratu Cakobau.
“We were committed to training and this contributed to our rugby achievements and I was glad to be part of the 1989 team that toured France.”
Overseas contracts
Naituku was one of the two Fijians alongside Leveni Duvuduvukula to secure rugby contracts in South Africa.
He played for the Eastern Province in the Currie Cup competition which featured outgoing Stormers head coach Allister Coetzee who was their halfback.
Naituku also spent a year with the ACT and played club rugby alongside rugby league great Ricky Stuart and Wallaby legend David Campese.
Toughest opponents
“My toughest opponents are Peni Volavola (local) and internationally is Steve McDonalds for All Blacks,” he said.
“These two players are stocky and as for McDonald he read the game well and he knew best how to counter me. In fact he was more experienced than me and I have learnt a lot from him.”
Naituku said playing against Naitasiri at Naluwai was always tough for any provincial team.
Advice to inspiring players
God will only bless those that work hard,” he said.
“Its attitude that changes your altitude matters most. Players should be committed to their dreams, work hard and most importantly glorify the Almighty Lord in everything you do.”
From a humble beginning that started all the way from Gau, Naituku’s achievement speaks volume of his sheer hard work and his will to conquer all obstacles which transformed him to become a champion and a rugby hero.
Next week. We hear from the man himself about the 1987 South Pacific Barbarian South African Rebel Tour that saw some prominent members of 1987 Fijian rugby World Cup team being slapped with six months game suspension.
