Every effect has a cause and it could not be more true for upcoming Fijian rugby league star Penioni Tagituimua.
The 23-year-old was bound for the British Army but a twist of fate, or the work of God, landed him where he is today – playing for the Fiji Bati at the 2021 Rugby League World Cup in England.
His father, pastor Ilaitia Tagituimua, who is the Bati chaplain, talked about his youngest of four sons was destined to play for Fiji from a young age.
He said Penioni and his brothers applied for the British Army, with the youngster falling short of recruitment, which was a low point in his life.
“Three of his (Penioni) elder brothers have joined the British Army and they are now living here in the UK,” talatala, as he is referred to in the Bati camp, said.
“They all did the application together and Peni was the first one to be accepted. But unfortunately, his visa was rejected.
“He was really down at that moment. He came back home and he didn’t even want to go and train at Nadera for two weeks.
“I sat down with him and I told him: ‘Everything happens for a reason, there’s a purpose. The best plan only God knows but you need to understand this, you need this, and you need to go through this. If it is meant by God for you not to be part of this in order for you to go through the pathway that has been designed for you, then you have to humble yourself’.”
Talatala said once Penioni had accepted his fate, he began to flourish on the field.
“Once he was picked for the Pacific Games, then he realised this is the reason why God did not allow him to be part of the British Army. It was meant for the three elder brothers. When he was part of the Bati, everyone said it was part of God’s plan for him not to be part of this (British Army).”
Talatala said from a young age, Penioni was destined to play rugby as it was in his genes.
“It’s not a surprise to me because two of my elder brothers were pioneers of rugby league; they both represented Fiji in rugby league and rugby union – Nemani and Pita Matirewa.
“So Peni was always a talented rugby player and it’s a proud moment to be at the world cup with him.”
