Bula to the family, friends and the rugby people of Fiji.
I just want to say how very saddened I am of the news that the great Ilaitia Savai has passed away.
I was associated with Savai at Hamilton Marist and also when I was baggage man for the Fijian team during the 1987 World Cup in New Zealand.
Apart from being a fantastic player, I found him to be a very humble man and one of great integrity.
I will remember forever his great try from a lineout against Argentina in Fiji’s opening games of the World Cup in Hamilton.
The crowd were overjoyed that their local Waikato man Savai had scored. I only spoke to him when I was in Fiji with my family last August and I certainly was not expecting for him to pass on so early in life.
To his wife, children, family and the Fijian rugby community I pass on my sincere condolences.
Ni sa moce and vinaka my friend.
