FOR the first time a student of Naitasiri Secondary School has secured a rugby scholarship contract for three years in Japan while attending the school.
Lusiana Tinai Tukana Qaqagone managed to sign a contract with a Japanese private school —an accomplishment that many young rugby enthusiasts can only dream of.
Qaqagone hails from Waidracia Village in Naitasiri and plays first five in rugby league.
Apart from representing her school in rugby, the 16-year-old helps her family by milking cows at their milking shed and collecting firewood – putting in those hard yards, she now reaps the rewards of being diligent.
Naitasiri Secondary School head of school, Joseva Chale said Qaqagone joined the school in 2022 as a Year 9 student and has represented the school for two years in rugby.
“She is an exceptional rugby player, and her background and upbringing has moulded her to be a strong girl,” Mr Chale said.
“They (family) have a milking shed and every morning before coming to school she will milk the cows and does this too after school.
“She does boys chores like collecting firewood, weeding and planting and from that humble beginning, God has raised her to this level.”
Qaqagone was 14 when she enrolled at the school and quickly joined the U19 rugby league team in term 1. In Term 2, the Year 9 student joined the school’s U16 rugby union team.
She went on to score one or more tries every week while representing her school – displaying exceptional skills in rugby wherever she played.
Not only is she a good rugby player she is also an exceptional runner.
In the Coca-Cola Games Qaqagone helped her team win second place in the sub-junior girls 4x400m relay and in 2022, she helped the school’s U19 girls team win the rugby league trophy and assisted the school’s U16 rugby union side reach the Raluve national final championship – a big feat for a then 14-year-old.
Mr Chale said Qaqagone is the first for both boys and girls to sign a contract while attending Naitasiri Secondary School.
“Players like Vereimi Vakatawa and Noa Naikataci started at Naitasiri Secondary School then went to Nasinu Secondary or other schools where they were later spotted by agents.
“Others were spotted when they left the school, so Lusi’s case is different. Right from inside the classroom she signed a contract.
“Straight from attending school she went to Japan.”
In how she was selected, Mr Chale explained that the Japanese school was looking for girls from Fiji to go study and play rugby.
“The Japanese school liaised with the Fiji Embassy in Japan and the Japanese Embassy here. Around 2022 to 2023 a representative from the Japanese Embassy was focused on a few players.
“The representative made contact and followed the school through its rugby league and rugby union seasons.
“We often met, yet we didn’t know she was looking to scout players in our U16 girls’ team.”
He said the representative in 2023 showed her interest and wanted a few students to attend a trial where they will be selected to sign a contract to attend school in Japan.
“We were informed that a school coach from Japan will also be in the country to be part of the selection process.
“We were told that a group of five students was recommended to the Japanese school by the representative here.
“When the school coach from Japan arrived, she interviewed the parents and the players, ran a fitness test and tested the players rugby skills.
“It was confirmed that Lusiana was the player that they wanted to sign with.”
Apart from the Japanese scholarship, Qaqagone was also scouted by a few agents from New Zealand.
Her coach Inoke Turaga says Qaqagone loves to be on the ground.
“She puts a lot of effort in training and has fully committed herself to sports,” Mr Turaga said.
“I started training her from 2022 when she joined as a Year 9 student.
“Her rugby skills development started early in primary school when she participated in tag rugby.
” She is very good in passing, kicking and stepping opponents. She is very well built and has the ability to break tackles and side-step her opponents.
“She will be attending classes and playing for the school from Mondays to Fridays and she will join a club on Saturdays.
“If she does well with her studies, she will later join a university. If she does well with her rugby club too, they will offer her three years contract where she will continue her stay in Japan.
“Accommodation, food, medical, school fees, meals, uniforms and allowances are given to her on a fortnightly basis plus insurance.”
He said for those hoping to sign a rugby contract in the future, it’s important to train hard, develop rugby skills and talents.
“Scouts and agents are out there watching games. We have local and overseas agents looking for special players for different positions so always give your all when playing.”
