Tevita Ikanivere’s namesake travelled all the way from Ono-i-Lau to watch the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua captain in action against the Western Force yesterday.
Ikanivere was given the captaincy role in the Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific round six clash at Churchill Park in Lautoka. Traveled all the way from Lau on Tuesday, it marked the first time that he watched his nephew in person.
“I bought a Walesi set-top box to watch him play ever since he joined the Drua,” he said.
“I’ve never seen him play in person but, this week I decided to come to Lautoka and watch my yaca. I attended his wedding but I returned to Lau due to some commitments hence I couldn’t attend the first two home games.
“In the village, our relatives know how passionate and proud I am of my yaca. I’ll be the only old man in the village who will be stomping on the floor of my house when the Drua is playing.”
Ikanivere’s mother Olimaipa Bogiciwa was also present at the game.
“I did not come last week because of Palm Sunday but this week despite the weather, I just wanted to come down from Suva to watch my son.
“The captain’s role is not new for him and he doesn’t boast about it. My son is a very humble person, he practices what he preaches and that is something that I will always be proud of.”
Although the former Deans Trophy winner played only the first 40 minutes after his yellow card was upgraded to a red, his family is still proud of his unwavering commitment to his rugby career.
