KNOWN for his skills and finesse on the field, combined with some hard running and brutal defence, Patrick Osborne has proven to be one of the promising dominant talents in Super Rugby.
Ricky, as he is known to those close to him, lives a humble life despite his achievements on and off the field. He is from Mavana, Vanuabalavu, Lau
He lives at Sikeci Place, Laucala Beach, Suva. His neighbour Henry Waqavakatoga said: “Ricky is one of a kind. One day you see him scoring tries in Super Rugby and making headlines, the next minute he is being the same old humble Ricky.
“Ever since I have known him, his relationship with the rest of the boys in our neighbourhood has not changed. Wananavu that falla man,” another neighbour of 25 years, Shalendra Singh said.
Another neighbour and childhood friend Eliki Waqavakatoga said Osborne was not like some people who had changed because of fame.
“With Ricky, when he is here with the boys, it seemed like he never left, and we are grateful and blessed to have a brother like him,” Waqavakatoga said.
Osborne is talented. He began his rugby career in the USP Rugby Club in Suva under the tutelage of some of Fiji’s local coaching talents like Salimoni Ravouvou, Saiasi Fuli and Viliame Gadolo.
He was trained by reknowned USP and Suva Rugby trainer Malcolm Williams.
Education
According to Osborne, he first took up athletics at Indian College which is now Jai Narayan College at Rewa St, Suva.
When he won a gold medal in the Fiji Finals’ 400 metres junior boys in 2002, it was the first gold medal to be won by the school in the annual event.
“I went to Queen Victoria School after but started playing rugby when I was in USP,” Osborne said.
He made the Suva provincial team and also played for Suva Highlanders.
He said his rugby career started when he joined USP Islanders Green Rugby team.
Whilst at USP he played alongside the likes of Ropate Ratu, Josateki Brown, James Brown, Isikeli Vuruna, Joe Buinimasi and many others who have donned the national jumper.
New Zealand break
The year 2009 changed everything for Osborne. He was supposed to be on a trip to watch the Wellington 7s and it took a very favourable twist of fate for him.
Some could say his trip was a strange set of events which led him to be spotted by Canterbury Academy manager Matt Sexton.
His cousin Simon Osborne said he was sent to New Zealand by his mother as a 21st birthday present.
“He was staying with my father and instead of using the money for his ticket, my father said: “How much money have you got? We are going to buy you some boots.” Simon said.
“My father told him you are going to play 7s. I think it was Marist 7s and they went and saw Filipe Raiyasi so Filipe put him in his team there.
“Boy, he had speed to burn and there he was noticed by officials from the Canterbury Rugby Union who also had a team for that tournament.
“They approached Ricky and Filipe same time about a contract with Canterbury, yeah and that was his lucky break.
Osborne said of the contract: “I just got blessed with a contract for Canterbury and I really worked hard and things fell into place for me. Then I got a contract for Canterbury Crusaders and also for the Chiefs later on.”
He was also a member of the Waikato Chiefs team that lifted the coveted Super Rugby trophy in 2013 and the Super Rugby title last year with the Otago Highlanders alongside fellow Fijian teammate Waisake Naholo.
First try for Fiji
Scoring his first try for Fiji and re-establishing ancestral family ties with his relatives from Mavana could be considered as a very memorable moment for him,
He said scoring for his country would be one of the highlights of his career.
“I thought I was going to be a dummy runner, but when the ball was passed to me I had no choice, but to carry it forward,” Osborne said.
“The encouraging bit was when I looked up I could see the expression of the Samoan boys’ faces, as they scrambled their defence, that’s when I knew I was going to score.
He said it was a dream come true for him and he thanked God, his family and his friends for their support.
Reunion with families
After the game against Samoa, a thanksgiving feast was prepared by his relatives from Mavana Village.
It was hosted by his uncle and former Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase.
Qarase thanked and congratulated him for his achievement.
“I want to extend to you Patrick our very sincere thanks and very warm welcome to this piece of land belonging to Mavana to meet you here as a family,” Qarase said.
“We are very proud of your achievements on the rugby field and we always admire the way you play on the field and also your behaviour outside.
“You are an ambassador, not only for the Osborne family, you are also an ambassador for Fiji and for Yavusa Qalitu and for the people of Mavana.
“We wish you all the best as you leave Fiji to go on to South Africa and then to Argentina before you return to New Zealand.
Family
Osborne said his family helped in his success, his mother Joan Osborne.
“She guided and supported me in my journey,” he said.
