THE FIJI Rugby Union is planning to pay their last respects traditionally to another of Fiji’s sons that have graced the rugby fields in his prime —— Seru Rabeni.
Yesterday, FRU Development Manager Sale Sorovaki confirmed of their plans with some former players to make their “I reguregu” (traditional farewell) to the late Rabeni with former rep, FRU CEO and team manager Pio Bosco Tikoisuva and FRU executives to lead the delegation.
Rabeni has been missed the world over by those who knew the player that he was showing it via social media platform.
From Fiji’s very own National 7s coach Ben Ryan who tweeted of how sad he was to hear of Rabeni’s death to former England player Andy Goode who tweeted “Devastated hearing that Seru Rabeni has passed away. Loved playing with him at @LeicesterTigers great player who was always smiling #RIPSeru.”
South African Rugby also tweeted “Always sad when we lose one of our rugby family. #RIPSeru You will be missed.”
And Premiership Rugby tweeted that Rabeni’s former club Leicester Tigers will “hold a minute’s applause before kick-off against @Saracens on Sunday to mark the passing of Seru Rabeni”
Lanky former Leicester Tigers player Ben Kay tweeted “Completely broken by today’s news! An absolute diamond of a man. He’ll have already stepped St Peter, Jesus and God on his way in #RIPSeru.”
Rabeni has surely impressed the Rugby World whenever his hands were on the oval ball, from representing Fiji in both Rugby 7s and XV to representing overseas clubs that he played for, the Bua man surely made and impact in everyone’s lives.
His former teammates were all tweeting of how sad they were to wake up to the news, those that came across him on the rugby paddock and those that learnt of the man he was through rugby.
He also becomes the third player in the Flying Fijians 2007 team that reached the quarter-final to have died, following Jone Railomo and Maleli Kunavore.
Meanwhile his widow, Noame Rabeni confirmed that the “reguregu” will begin today at Koronivia, the home of Seru’s uncle Tomasi Tunabuna and his funeral service will be held at the Central Christian Centre on Saturday before he is laid to rest at the Nasinu Cemetery.
Former mates from Ratu Kadavulevu School will escort the star’s casket from Mokani hospital before the FRU takes over at Koronivia to the service and to the cemetery.
