Tamika Jones returns to Fiji twice in the space of 18 days with the Western Force women’s team.
The 20-year-old breakaway forward shares a special connection to the country.
Jones played in the Force team’s 5-19 lost to the Rooster Chicken Fijian Drua art Churchill Park in Lautoka last month and will get another shot at the champion team in tomorrow’s Super Rugby W the semi-finals at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva.
Before yesterday, she first set foot in Fiji when she was seven years old, but 13 years on she is back playing rugby.
Her mother was born and raised in Toga, Rewa outside Nausori town and migrated to Australia.
Coming from a soccer-oriented family, Jones is the only one who has pursued rugby, excelling in her position as number eight.
Her uncle and former Fiji football player Abdul Mannan, who lives in Suva, expressed his excitement for Jones’ upcoming match.
“We are all excited and can’t wait to watch her play. All our families will come together and cheer on our main girl,” said Mannan.
“All my family mostly have a soccer background but for her, she’s the only one that plays rugby, and she’s doing well, we are really proud of her.”
Mannan encouraged all supporters to come out in large numbers to cheer on both teams and witness an exciting game.
The match kicks off at 4.35pm followed by the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua versus Hurricanes game at 7.05pm.
