SPORTS science and modern technology is one of the reasons Sabeto Roosters is becoming the undisputed rugby league champions in Fiji.
The 2014 Fiji champions recently topped that off by winning the nines competition with both Sabeto teams beating everybody else to reach the final.
Development officer and former coach Vela Qoro said technical officials that graduate out of NZPTC, tutored by Joeli Liga, are providing the technical expertise and sports science which is giving Sabeto the edge over other oppositions.
Tucked under the foothills of Delairavoravo and Conua or better known as the mountains of the Sleeping Giant, Sabeto is one of the biggest villages in the province of Ba and Fiji and has over the years been a power base of sports in Nadi and the country.
In rugby union they have contributed greatly to the Fiji team, especially in the fifties and early sixties.
Front row fowards Jo Saukuru and Emori Naravu were brothers but they played for different unions in Fiji.
Saukuru captained Suva and Naravu captained Nadi.
“The two brothers always fought whenever they met in the game,” said Eminoni, a former Nadi winger and nephew.
Sakuru represented Fiji in the tour of Australia in 1952 while Naravu, also a prop, represented Fiji against France and against Wales in 1964.
Two heroes from the sixties are still alive and they are Jone Nabou, who now lives in England and Emosi Galala who is at Sabeto village.
The inaugural tour of Australia in 1952 also saw lock Sivaniolo Naulago of Sabeto.
While there has not been any Sabeto players in Fijian XV team recently, they have players who have made their names in sevens rugby.
Marika Black is the only player of recent times to have played in the 15s.
Brothers Maika Toga and Iliesa Toga played sevens rugby followed by Ilami Mali, Ponipate Bainivalu,William Saukuru, Isei Lewaqai.
They have some players who have represented Fiji in the under-20 grade including William Saukuru, Kaliova Lumuni and Maloni Turuva.
In early days Sabeto was also known for wrestling as George Sukanaivalu was a heavyweight wrestling champion for many years.
They also had a soccer team. most of whom represented Nadi and Fiji such as Tela Qoro and Anare Wakawaka.
Rugby league is now the latest craze and youngsters continue to thrive through the development program and incentives the game creates.
Sabeto still has a team playing club rugby with the Nadi Rugby Union and is among the champion clubs of the union.
Turaga ni Yavusa Naleiwavuwavu Sivaniolo Naulago said Sabeto rugby had been well established over the years and had continually supplied Nadi and Fiji with players now and again.
Siva himself was an accomplished halfback in his time.
His speciality was climbing over the backs of his players to score from a five metre scrum.
“After the match they used to complain to me because of the pain on their backs that came from my spike,’ Siva said.
“But I told them to bear the pain and that it was worth it because a try was scored.”
However, Siva’s brother Eminoni related how Siva and the Sabeto team were outfoxed in the sixties by Nawaka halfback Sitiveni Tawase who also became a Fiji rep.
“Instead of climbing over the scrum he crawled under the legs of the forwards picked up the ball and continued until the tryline,” said Eminoni.
“The funny thing is that the Sabeto forwards also widened their legs to allow him to crawl and score a try.”
Sport has contributed greatly to the keeping of the peace and reduce the crime rate in the area.
Apart from being a sporting base Sabeto has also been notorious for many infamous incidents.
That is another story.
