AUSTRALIAN-based rugby player Ebony Satala has big shoes to fill in her quest to follow her cousin’s rugby footsteps.
Ebony is known by her Fijiana 7s teammates as the “Stretcher” because of her ability to flatten players with bone crunching tackles similar to her cousin and Fiji rugby legend Viliame “The Stretcher” Satala.
Despite being dropped from the final 13-member team to the Rio Olympics, Ebony is grateful to have her role model cousin who she relied on for a source of inspiration.
The 27-year-old said she was honoured to represent the country and to follow her cousin’s footsteps even though she missed out on the Rio Games.
She said the benchmark set by Satala for the Fiji 7s team had inspired her to chase her rugby dream.
“It’s a big shoes to fill, big strong ball carriers and into contact really strong,” Ebony said of Viliame Satala.
“That is what I am trying to do. I have always done it naturally because of my big size but, yeah its definitely big shoes to fill especially here in Fiji.”
Born and bred in Australia, Ebony said she was fortunate to have her own little coach back at her village in Namoli.
“When I got home on the weekend after our Fijiana training camp, he (Viliame Satala) always talked to me about my games.
“He watched over our games and it’s really handy to have him as my little coach.
“He knows exactly where I am right now, he’s been there and done that and sees the game from another side as well.”
Ebony said donning the national rugby 7s shirt for the first time was special.
And the icing on the cake, she used the opportunity to reunite with her Fijian roots.
“I always wanted to represent my country and growing up in Australia I didn’t not know my ties in Fiji so this is a good opportunity to know my roots.
“I was a bit of a shock while training here in Fiji after I left because all my family members were back in Australia but deep inside me I said that this is my home.
“And wearing the Fiji jersey for the first time didn’t seem real. The possibility to actually play for Fiji happened so quickly and it took a while to sink in.
“It was the time we were playing against Australia during the France 7s it really sunk in that I was playing for Fiji.”
Ebony started her sporting career with netball as a 17-year-old but the influence of her cousins, brothers and dad changed her mind and opted for the oval ball. She said she had learnt a lot while with the Fijiana 7s team and admitted the team being selected was the best.
“Being part of the Fijian team is really supportive because we were working towards the same goal.
“We were really close and pushing each other to perform to our best. We were not performing to ourselves but as a team. It’s a strong sisterhood.
“I am trying but at the end of the day, the team that got picked will be the best team to go.
“And what I want if I am not in the team is to get a medal so whatever happens, happens,” she added.
