Mention the name Ratu Filise and a lot of winning memories from the 80s and 90s come to the fore.
When I was in school, Ratu Filise dominated the 7s circle and graced many 7s tournaments around the country.
Since we did not have access to television, we would be glued to the radio listening to Graham Eden’s lively commentaries.
Those days Ratu Filise was clinical and produced names that lit up the rugby field.
The Ratu Filise Rugby Club is from the village of Namatakula, which is a household name in Fiji’s rugby history.
I scrolled through the Ratu Filise club’s facebook page, and I thank the club for the wealth of information that it possesses on its web page.
Ratu Filise takes part in local 7s tournaments around the country, and while they have not tasted victory, they have unearthed talents.
The club took part in the Nawaka 7s and the three legs of the FRU Super 7s Series, but the win has evaded the boys from the Coral Coast.
Ratu Filise, however, won the STC Yasa and TC Ana fundraising 7s tournament beating a very strong Red Diamond outfit 17-7 in the final.
Thanks to Dreu Vukailagi, I was refreshed with some background information on the club, which is made up of youth’s from the neighbouring villages of Naboutini, Navutulevu, Komave, Navola and Biausevu in the district of Komave.
The Batibasaga brothers Asaeli, Ilikimi and Isimeli, the Tuqiri brothers Lote Tuqiri Snr and Tukula Tuqiri, the late Viliame Tani, Mesake Seavula, Noa Nadruka, Luke Erenavula, Isei Nasiganiyavi, Etuate Honda Gusuivalu, Keleto Loboilagi, Mesake Rasari, the late Temesia Kaumaia, Etuate Waqa and Aminiasi Naituyaga, Sakaraia Labalaba, Sovita Nagatagata, Sirilo Lala, Lote Tuqiri, Etika Tovilevu, Peniasi Damu, Leveni Vatureba, Fero Lasagivabau, Sailosi Rabo, Joeli Lutumailagi, George Ali, Eparama Navale and Amenoni Nasilasila have had links with the club.
When Fiji won the 1997 Melrose Cup two Ratu Filise players- Luke Eranavula and the late Aminiasi Naituiyaga made the national team.
Ironically, 1997 was also the last year that the Ratu Filise Rugby Club won the Marist 7s when the likes of the late Aminiasi Natuiyaga, Sikeli Votonisiga, Fero Lasagavibau, Bruce Rauqe, Luke Eranavula, Jovilisi Natoya, Filipe Tawayaga, Josevata Nagasaukula, Romulu Tanikomave and current Ratu Filise 7s head coach Etika Tovilevu won the Marist 7s tournament.
The club motto “Ratu Filise is a rugby factory- we breed our own” has never changed from day one.
As Ratu Filise prepares to take part in this week’s Marist 7s tournament, the likes of Wame Ratuva, Sireli Daivalu, Kalaveti Cavukai, Ifereimi Tovilevu, Sakiusa Dreunimolea, Leveni Tani, Eremasi Batibasaga, Soropepeli Cokanasiga, Ereqe Nadruguvolili, Josateki Dawai, Peni Valo, Mesake Seavula, Nemia Nawave, Aborosio Naqamu, Sikeli Votonisiga and Jonetani Vasurakauta are expected to play an important role in the team.
In 1997 down memory lane, and I’m eager to see Ratu Filise bounce back and re-ignite those winning memories from the 80s and 90s.
All the best to Ratu Filise for the 2021 Marist 7s tournament!
