“They were dancing in New Zealand and we were dancing here.”
These were the words of Tony Lagicere when the news came that his nephew George Bower had made the All Blacks squad for the 2020 Tri-Nations Series.
“George’s parents called from New Zealand, and when they told us he had been called up again, we were overjoyed,” Lagicere said.
“They were shocked, we were shocked, they were surprised, we were surprised and nothing could hide how excited everybody was.”
Lagicere said it was an emotional time for the vanua of Vagadaci, Levuka on Ovalau knowing that one of its sons had made it into the number two ranked team in the world.
“Not only did he make it into the All Blacks, he made it into the front row, one of the few Fijians to do so at international level for another team,” he said.
The Crusaders prop had been called in as prop cover in place of an injured Joe Moody who suffered a head knock during the 27-7 win over the Wallabies in Eden Park.
“From the family here in Fiji, we wish him all the best in his tour and know that we will be cheering the loudest when he plays his first game,” Lagicere said.
