MELBOURNE Storm rugby league new signing Iliesa Ratuva Jr has declared his interest in representing Fiji in future.
He is 18, and is dubbed the next Suliasi Vunivalu by the Australian media because of his size.
All he wants is to play for Fiji, either in rugby union or rugby league.
“I always have the dream to play for my country, whether it is rugby league or rugby union,” he said.
Ratuva followed the same path taken by Vunivalu before joining the Storm.
He was offered a full scholarship by Kings College in New Zealand for two years while at Cuvu College in Sigatoka before the Storm recruited him for two years to play in the National Rugby League (NRL).
“I always want to represent the country. Even though I am playing in Australia and New Zealand, I will still play for my country and that is one thing I aim for.
“Despite any lucrative offer that I will get, I will still play for Fiji because that is what my heart wants. I will always represent my homeland.”
He said he was happy to be playing alongside Vunivalu.
“To be part of the team and to see Fijians around you, you sort of feel welcome. I always look up to Suli because he started in New Zealand and jumped to Australia. I always look up to what he has achieved and hopefully I will follow the same path.”
Ratuva Jr played lock and flanker for Kings College, but has been shifted to the wings during the Storm’s training runs.
He said he always dreamt of training alongside rugby league greats while watching them on television.
The former Cuvu College student said he was excited to team up with players such as Vunivalu, Kangaroos captain Cameron Smith and Billy Slater, to name a few, in the NRL.
“I was not even listening at our first training session, I was staring at the players to be honest.
“I am training with the actual squad with Suli and other boys.
“It is weird like I always watch them on TV and say I wish I could play alongside them, but when it comes to training and seeing these great players I still can’t believe my own eyes.
“They are very helpful.
“They approach you and tell you to do this or do that or this is how we do it.
“It’s pretty good and I love it,” he added.
The Yadua native of Nadroga will rejoin his new team on Wednesday.
