FOR the first time in the history of Fijian rugby players playing abroad, four international reps from one province will feature for two top teams participating at the Rugby World Cup in Japan next month.
Marika Koroibete and Isi Naisarani will feature for the Australian Wallabies while Alivereti Raka and Virimi Vakatawa will don the France jersey.
Koroibete, who was born and raised in the province of Namosi, is originally from in Naitauvoli Village in Naitasiri.
Naisarani is a newcomer into the Australian team and made his way through to the Wallabies world cup squad this year.
The Naqali man is the latest Fijian product to don the Wallabies outfit to the Rugby World Cup having to start his rugby career with Ratu Kadavulevu School, playing club games at the Navuso grounds to represent Wallabies in the international arena.
Meanwhile, Raka, hails from Nakorovatu Village in the northern territory of Naitasiri Province.
He has been a lethal weapon for the Clermont rugby club in the France Top 14 competition and his pathway to France was through the Nadroga rugby team development program where he proved himself worthy to be a winger for Clermont and France.
Vakatawa is the latest inclusion in the France world cup squad.
The Naluwai lad wasn’t part of the selected squad however injuries occurred in the French team enabled the highlander to force his way to the France team.
Naitasiri provincial rugby team head coach Dr Ilaitia Tuisese said the people of Naitasiri were proud of the achievements accomplished by their sons who were representing Fiji and the rest of the world at the world cup.
“We are proud to see these players at the international rugby arena and for them to participate in the world cup makes everyone proud especially their families.
“This eventually will boost the mentality of local rugby players and the children to pursue their rugby dreams to the standard set by these players for a better standard of living in the future.
“These players used to play on our very own back yards and they kept on striving for success and it is a challenge to the rest of the players back at home.
“On behalf of the Naitasiri Rugby Union we wish them all the best in their games at the world cup,” said Tuisese.
