“To be honest, I was actually emotional. I was emotional because it’s his first Super Rugby (Pacific) game,” Mayanavanua shared.
“Not only his first Super Rugby game, but this is my first time watching him play for a Super Rugby game as well. I was emotional, but I was also very proud making that decision to come all the way from England, changing from a really big setting to coming back here to the (Fijian) Drua.”
“I’m just extremely proud of him.”
When her husband was interviewed by The Fiji Times for its special Fijian Drua magazine detailing the inspiring stories of its senior squad, he credited his wife and young son as his “whys.”
“It’s second to none. My wife and son have been there for me ever since I started profesionally, they’re my biggest why,” he acknowledged.
His son, Temo Mayanavanua Junior, also saw his father in action. Lilieta acknowledged his growth over the years and his awareness of his father’s work as a rugby player from his previous stints in Europe.
“He’s excited; in England and France, he was really young but here in Fiji, I feel like he understands the game more and he’s cheering more for his dad. I’m happy to see that,” she said.
