For Hurricanes lock-forward Isaia Walker-Leawere, tomorrow’s game against the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua will be a homecoming of some sort.
His first game in Fiji was for the Maori All Blacks in 2019, where they lost 27-10 to the Flying Fijians.
The six-foot Wainiyabia, Serua lad said he was happy to be back in the country and was excited to be running out against the Drua for his 50th Super Rugby cap this weekend.
“The first thing I noticed getting off the plane in Nadi was the heat,” said Leawere.
“In Wellington, the weather was around 15 degrees compared to 31 degrees here in Suva, so there’s a big shift.”
Leawere has firsthand experience of how difficult it is to play in Fiji, saying the crowd will be vocal at the HFC Bank Stadium.
He hopes his family members will go against the tide and cheer for him and his Hurricane teammates.
“The Drua fan base here in Fiji is just remarkable, so I don’t know where my family will pledge their allegiance to, I think it’ll be fifty-fifty.
“I organised a bus for them to come over and watch the game, so I hope it will be for me,” Leawere jokingly said.
He is the son of former Flying Fijian skipper and lock, Kele Leawere, who represented the country from 2002-2008.
Leawere, who was born and raised in New Zealand, found no problem following his father’s footsteps on the rugby field.
He has managed to climb up the ladder from representing the Wellington-based club since the under-18 grade, forcing his way into the New Zealand U20 and eventually into the Maori All Blacks in 2018.
“We’re not sure what to expect against the Drua, they’ll come with their Fijian flair and that speed that’s unpredictable.”
According to Leawere, playing in front of a Drua crowd has been something he has been looking forward to for quite some time.
“They’re just very energetic, full of life and excitement, that’s the type of crowd you’d like to play in front of.”
He encourages young aspiring rugby players to always live in the moment, enjoying every bit of experience while pursuing the sport.
