Ba native, and our nippy and stylish playmaker, Waisea Nacuqu, had never in his weirdest of dreams thought about an Olympic Games gold victory.
Nacuqu, who salvaged the muchneeded boost against Japan, scoring two tries in the second half, as we trailed 19-12, played a critical role, heading towards the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.
In his news report (FT: 27/07) titled ‘Wake-up call for Fiji 7s’, veteran journalist Josefa Makaba, better known in the media circle as Jo, reported that, “The Fijians were given a fright by the plucky Japanese side who raced away to a 14-12 half-time lead before replacement Waisea Nacuqu broke the hearts of the local fans, as he touched down two key tries which saw Fiji retake the lead and win the match 24-19.”
Nacuqu is no stranger to international rugby, getting his break in 2013 under former coach Ben Ryan. Fans can never forget his dream run in Tokyo, as he scored a scintillating run-away try against South Africa in the final.
Nacuqu played alongside the likes of Osea Kolinisau, Pio Tuwai, Benito Masilevu, Emosi Mulevoro, Donasio Ratubuli, Samisoni Viriviri, Setefano Cakau, Jasa Veremalua, Leo Naikasau and Vatemo Ravouvou.
With 16 seconds to go, Nacuqu broke free, and he dashed his way to the tryline, which was described by renowned 7s commentator and the voice of international 7s rugby Nigel Starmer-Smith as Justin Geduld dotted for South Africa under the posts to cut Fiji’s 26-19 lead by seven points, “This is a wonderful moment for South Africa. May be, you could say, it was cruel luck for Fiji.
The kick is over.
We go back towards where with just seconds and a minute and bit remaining.
Remember about the extra time.
It’s sudden death. But, we might not get to that. There are still seconds remaining here.
Less than one minute, now. Beautiful, unscripted drama to see right here, right now. Waisea Nacuqu is into the game, and so too is Vatemo Ravouvou.
Now, it’s gone to the hero of the team, Emosi Mulevoro. Swung away by Kolinisau.
Here comes Nacuqu. He’s gonna have a go. Here, we go with the try that puts Fiji into the lead.
Olympic 7s rugby at its very best! Time is up. The siren has gone. Hands around in triumph! What a pass that was by Pio Tuwai to the new man Waisea Nacuqu, and he ran away from Kwagga Smith, and the South Africa defence with not a line on his face, and scored the winning try!
These finals are simply, breathtaking!”
There were handshakes and hugs between Apisai Domolailai, Aisake Katonibau, Ben Ryan and Ropate Kauvesi, as Nacuqu scored the try.
The trio knew that the 2014 Tokyo 7s Cup was in the bag. With that break, 7s fans sensed that our ‘small man, with a big rugby heart’ had a bright future in the shorter code of rugby.
Waisea is related to another 7s legend Pio Tuwai, who played an infl uential role, in the success of our 7s team on the HSBC WRSS. Pio, who won the HK 7s in 2009 with Iliesa Tanivula, was known for his ability to off-load the ball with a slick movement of his hand.
Waisea is also related to Josua Tuisova, who is known on the rugby paddock, as ‘The Bus’. Nacuqu is renowned to be the ‘game breaker’. Statistics shared by World Rugby reveal that Nacuqu has played 162 matches for Fiji, having scored 89 tries and 661 points.
Nacuqu’s story is one which is hearttouching, inspirational, and worth sharing.
Nacuqu was born in Votua Village in Ba to Adrea Walau and Makelesi Dugu.
He attended Votua Catholic School, but dropped out of school when he was in Year Six.
I enquired the reason for him dropping out, and Nacuqu shared that school did not attract and excite him.
After dropping out of school, he stayed home, and he was engaged in fi shing, and taking his father’s lunch to the sugarcane farm.
Nacuqu played Kaji rugby for the Ba U9 and U10 teams. He shared that his biggest break came when his cousin, Pio Tuwai, joined the national 7s side, and won the HK 7s at So Kon Po Stadium, which motivated him to don the national jumper.
Nacuqu shared how his cousins formed a group called ‘Freedom Squad’ in Votua, Ba.
Nacuqu, who was part of Ba Khalsa College vocational, played football in 2009 and 2010. He recalled being coached by Master Kamal Swamy.
Nacuqu also shared that he played football for Tavua.
In 2012, he changed his mind, and decided that he would play rugby.
When Pio won and there was a celebration in Votua Village, Nacuqu told himself, “One day, I want to be like my cousin, play for the Fiji 7s team, and make my father and mother proud.”
Nacuqu revealed that in 2012, Manasa Takala, who saw Nacuqu and his cousins cutting sugarcane, founded a 7s team called FSC Eagles. Takala roped in Nacuqu, Josua Tuisova, Filipo Nakosi, Joe Basudra, who later played for Army, and Nacuqu’s brother Setefano
Rasakaia.
The FSC Eagles won the U19 7s tournaments in Ra. The Eagles also won the Nawaka and Marist 7s U19 tournaments.
Led by Pio Tuwai, Nacuqu and his cousins started playing in other 7s tournaments around Fiji. When Tuisova and Nakosi joined Ratu Navula College, Nacuqu joined them in Nadi.
Nacuqu recalled being part of the Ratu Navula 7s team with Tuisova, Nakosi, Mosese Mawalu and Kitione Taliga.
He represented Ratu Navula in the Fiji Secondary Schools organised rugby 7s tournament, where he impressed former coach, Alivereti Dere, and he was asked to join the extended training squad alongside Tuisova and Jone Tanoa, who also played for Police.
However, Nacuqu was dropped in favour of the bigger names like Metuisela Talebula, Joji Raqamate, Samisoni Viriviri and Ilai Tinai. However, Tuisova made the cut.
Nacuqu was determined to make the team so he continued to work hard.
Nacuqu joined Westfi eld Babaas, which was coached by Ratu Navula school teacher Filipe Korokai, and he shared how Westfi eld Babaas won the Vatukoula Gold Mine 7s tournament, defeating Police in the final, and going home $40k richer.
He was also part of the Westfi eld Babaas team which won the Nawaka and Marist 7s tournaments, and then he got picked to be part of the Fiji 7s team to the 2013 Gold Coast 7s tournament.
However, he was named as the nontravelling reserve alongside Osea Kolinisau, but both got the call to travel to the Gold Coast when Kelepi Namoua and Sunia Kubu were ruled out due to the injuries they sustained during the Fiji Water Centennial International 7s tournament. Fiji had lost to Samoa 31- 17 in the final.
Nacuqu featured in the Dubai 7s tournament in 2013 which Fiji won defeating South Africa 291-7, having annihilated the All Blacks 44-0 in the semis.
Nacuqu described that win, as a special moment in his rugby career. He had made his parents proud.
Nacuqu missed the 2016 Olympic Games, but he cheered his heart out for his cousin, Tuisova, who made the team, and upon Tuisova’s return, Nacuqu recalled the big celebration that was accorded in honour of the Olympics gold medal winner, and he promised himself that he was going to emulate Tuisova’s success.
Tuisova’s heroic efforts motivated Nacuqu to make a comeback. Nacuqu missed the 2018 Commonwealth Games 7s and RWC 7s, which Fiji lost to the All Blacks 14-10 and 22-17, respectively.
He had sustained an injury to his collarbone, and the doctor said that he was going to miss the USA, Vancouver, HK, Singapore, London and Paris 7s tournaments in 2019.
However, Nacuqu was more than ever determined to make the team so he got massaged in Nadroga. He missed the HK and Singapore 7s tournaments, but made the team to the London and Paris 7s tournaments.
Heading to the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, and with the HSBC WRSS circuit being called off due to the COVID- 19 pandemic, Nacuqu was part of the Police Blues side, which won the FRU 7s series overall title. He was part of the Police Blues side, which won the tournaments at Lawaqa, Prince Charles and Ganilau Park. He paid tribute to team coach Etonia Naba, manager Sale Tubuna and former Fiji 7s lanky forward Suliano Volivoli.
Nacuqu played for Yasawa in last year’s Skipper Cup competition alongside Napolioni Bolaca and Kalione Nasoko.
Sharing his Olympic experiences, Nacuqu said that he was confident that he would make the 12-member squad to Tokyo, as he had done the hard yards, and he had prepared very well.
He shared Waisale Serevi’s words, “Treat every game like your last game”.
He stated that when he was brought in as a substitute against Japan, as Fiji was trailing 19-12, he was confident of scoring the try which would give Fiji the victory, and he did so in style, running clear from the Japanese defenders. At the back of his mind, he had the intention of doing Fiji and his family proud.
Nacuqu shared that he had not seen his family for five months, and this motivated him to give everything that he had in his tank.
I asked him how was he able to make some big tackles, as he was small in size, and Nacuqu shared that size did not matter because God was in command, and he was greater than everything else.
Nacuqu said that prior to the final against NZ when the anthem was being sung, the thought of not seeing his family touched him, as he thought about his rugby journey and background.
When Nacuqu received his gold medal, he kneeled, shed tears, and thanked the Lord for making his dream come true.
He had just become the second rugby player from Votua, Ba, after Tuisova, to win an Olympics gold medal.
In his concluding remarks, Nacuqu thanked every Fijian for their prayers and support. He dedicated his gold medal to his parents and in his family in Votua, Ba and in Yasawa.
I leave you with Gareth Baber’s words about Nacuqu, “Wise, I believe, is one of the best 7s players in Fiji. He has used previous disappointment to fuel his drive and motivation to become one of the world’s best 7s players. Wise is a no nonsense attacker whom the opposition hates to play against. Wise has added to his defensive game, and this has been achieved through his attention to detail specifically that of his diet and conditioning levels. Wise made me laugh every day.”
Vinaka vakalevu Nacuqu for your sterling effort, for bringing lost smiles, and for working hard to achieve your dream! I’m sure that you have set your sights on the Commonwealth Games 7s and RWC 7s tournaments next year!
Wishing our ‘Votua man’ all the best on his endeavor!
- RAJNESH LINGAM is a regular contributor to this newspaper and the views expressed in this
article are his and not of The Fiji Times.
