Nadroga legend Rupeni Nahiga Snr was laid to rest in his home village of Nahigatoka in Nadroga last Saturday, February 10.
A tribute from the vanua of the Taukei Were ni Dri, Na Tui Nasigatoka was paid to farewell a loyal and humble great son of the vanua Nakuruvarua.
Standing at 1.74m and weighing 83 kilograms Nahiga played hooker in his prime days for Nadroga and represented Fiji in 1981.
He will be remembered as the replacement hooker for the test match against Samoa on July 4, 1981, wearing jersey number 21.
In that match the Flying Fijians defeated Samoa 18-12.
The rugged hooker played alongside Rupeni Qaraniqio, Sainivalati Laulau, Sunia Nadruku, Kini Vosailagi, Samisoni Viriviri, Ilisoni Taoba, Kata Ratumuri, Viliame Ratudradra, and a few other rugby greats.
The Flying Fijians played five tests in that year, two (2) against Samoa and three against Tonga (3); winning four out of five tests (lost one to Tonga in Nuku’alofa).
