WHEN Setareki Bituniyata received the Pro 2 Player of the Year Award in France, the moment belonged to a rugby player whose performances had spoken loudly throughout the season.
But for his wife, Keilani, the honour represented something much bigger than the tries, tackles and offloads recorded in statistics.
Behind the powerful match-winning performances was a family making its own sacrifices and holding on to a dream that has taken years to pursue.
For Keilani and their two boys – Juju and Hezekiah, Setareki’s success was not simply about seeing him recognised among the best players in France’s Pro D2 competition.
It was a reminder of the work behind the scenes, the physical demands placed on his body and the family support many don’t get to appreciate.
When Setareki called his wife after winning the award, his reaction was not a carefully prepared response.
“What the heck just happened?!” he asked.
It was an immediate, unfiltered reaction that Keilani remembers fondly.
The achievement was still something gradually take in.
Setareki dedicated the award to his family, coach and teammates, a gesture that meant a great deal to Keilani.
“It says a lot about the kind of person Seta is,” she said.
“Even though he was the one standing up there receiving the award, he never saw it as something he achieved on his own.
“To him, we’ve all been part of his journey in different ways.”
For Keilani, that recognition mattered. She understood the hours of work, the physical toll and the shared sacrifices behind it – 14 tries, 43 offloads, 88 broken tackles and 19 line breaks.
These underline the impact Setareki made during the season.
Yet, when asked which statistic meant the most to her, Keilani did not hesitate to choose the “14 tries”.
“Every try represents so much more,” she said.
“Seeing how much he has put into his body, his recovery and his training throughout the season, and then seeing that come through on the field and contribute to his team in such a big way, is really special.”
The work nobody sees
Life alongside a professional rugby player requires an understanding that the game does not end when the final whistle blows. Recovery, nutrition, training and rest become part of the routine.
Keilani makes sure Setareki has the food he needs, looks after their boys and gives him room to recover, particularly during the busiest periods of the season.
“For me, it’s those little things that probably don’t get seen. Like making sure his body is well nourished every day so he has what he needs to recover, train and be ready for game day,” she said.
At the same time, there are everyday responsibilities like raising two boys, keeping the household running and ensuring Setareki can concentrate on rugby. There is also a ritual that has become an important part of their routine. A few minutes before every game, Setareki calls his wife and they pray together before he takes the field.
“For me, supporting him also means covering him in prayer and trusting God with him every time he steps onto that field,” Keilani said.
Family faith is everything
Faith is not something the family turns to only when the stakes are high. It is part of how they approach the demands of their life, including the uncertainty that comes with a professional sporting career.
Keilani’s role is often played out away from the cameras, but she understands how much stability at home matters to an athlete whose working life is spend on the rugby paddock.
“I take care of the boys, the school runs, the sports, the meals, the house and all the everyday things that keep our family moving,” she said.
“Those little things may never make the headlines, but trust me, they’re a big part of supporting a professional athlete.”
Partnership built on sacrifice
Professional rugby can take a family across countries, into new communities and through periods when one partner must carry more than their share of the household responsibilities.
For Keilani, one of the biggest sacrifices has been putting her own career and some personal opportunities on hold.
“Umm, my whole life,” she said, when asked what she had given up for her husband’s career.
Her answer carried a touch of humour, but the reality behind it is significant.
Decisions about clubs, relocation and family life often revolve around Setareki’s professional commitments.
When he is away, Keilani must manage the boys and the household on her own.
Still, she does not describe those sacrifices with bitterness.
“This is a sacrifice I’ve willingly made because I believe in Seta and in what he’s working towards,” she said.
His career has also given the family experiences and opportunities they might not otherwise have had, something she remains grateful for.
Asked whether she had ever wondered if the sacrifices were worth it, her response was clear.
“Honestly? No. I’ve never questioned whether the sacrifices were worth it.”
There have been difficult days, she acknowledged, but she has continued to believe in her husband and what they are building together.
The sacrifices, however, have not been one-sided. Injuries, surgeries, training sessions and recovery periods are part of the cost of remaining competitive at the professional level.
“People only see the player on game day, but they don’t see what his body goes through to get there,” she said.
She has watched him push through pain and exhaustion, determined to provide for his family and give his best to his team.
For the couple, communication has been central to managing those pressures. Whether the issue concerns finances, rugby or family responsibilities, they make a point of talking openly rather than allowing concerns to build.
“One word, communication,” Keilani said when asked how they keep pressure from affecting their relationship.
“We talk about everything, even the difficult things, and we try not to let things build up or be left unspoken.”
Remembering where he comes from
Away from rugby, Setareki’s identity remains closely tied to his Fijian roots, including connections to Toga, Naqalimare in the province of Nadroga-Navosa and Savu, Vugalei in Tailevu.
For Keilani, those connections are important not only to her husband but also to the future of their two boys.
She wants the children to know their father’s beginnings, spend time with relatives and elders, and understand Fiji as more than a holiday destination.
“I want the boys to understand that their dad comes from very humble beginnings and that they should never forget where he came from,” she said.
Setareki’s upbringing, as Keilani understands it, continues to influence the man he is today.
His Christian faith was instilled in him from a young age by his parents, whom she describes as strong Christians.
Respect for elders and gratitude are other qualities she admires.
Having come from humble beginnings, she believes, has helped keep him grounded despite the opportunities his rugby career has brought.
His success is also a source of pride for relatives and communities back home, particularly those who have known him since childhood and understand the journey he has taken.
The dream of the white jersey
Setareki has already realised one of his major rugby ambitions: playing for Stade Toulousain, one of the most prestigious clubs in French rugby.
Before their marriage, Keilani remembers him speaking about two dreams he wanted to fulfil in his career.
The first was to play for Toulouse, a goal that took the couple to the city for two wonderful years.
The second remains unfinished.
“He wanted to wear the white jersey and represent Fiji in 15s rugby,” Keilani said.
That dream has taken on renewed significance following his inclusion in the Flying Fijians extended squad.
For the Bituniyatas, a Fiji XVs debut would be a moment years in the making, particularly because they understand how much it means to him.
“It would mean so much to all of us,” Keilani said.
“I think it would be one of those moments where we would just stop and take it all in.”
For the boys, seeing their father represent Fiji would be something to remember with pride.
For Keilani, it would be deeply personal.
“I’ve seen everything this man has put his body and his heart through to get to this point,” she said.”
“To finally see him wear that white jersey would be very, very emotional. That’s for sure.”
