Swire Shipping Fijian Drua openside flanker Kitione Salawa Jr is confident he will fully recover from his left shoulder injury by March next year, allowing him to rejoin his brothers on the field in the Super Rugby Pacific competition.
The 24-year-old flanker sustained the injury after round seven of Super Rugby this year, which forced him to undergo surgery in Australia.
Salawa, who dropped out of school to focus on his rugby career, acknowledges there’s no turning back this time.
“I’m still rehabilitating and should be clear by March next year. I have faith I will recover and come back strong on the field next year,” said Salawa.
Growing up in Namotomoto Village in Nadi, Salawa faced a history of injuries which led his father, Kitione Salawa Sr, to initially forbid him from playing rugby in primary school.
However, he eventually started his rugby journey with the Ratu Navula College U16 rugby team.
From then, he made his way up the ladder where he was selected to be part of the Fiji School Boys team, Fiji Warriors and was the youngest player in the Fiji 7s team preparing for the Tokyo Olympics when he was struck with a lower back injury.
“When I had that injury I thought that was the end of my rugby career until I received a call from the Drua management to join in 2021,” Salawa explained.
Because of his injury, Salawa now resides with his uncle, Dr. Isoa Logavatu, who is also part of the Drua medical team.
Despite the challenges this season, with injuries taking a toll, the Nadi native is adamant about a successful season next year.
“I know next year I will come back strong and I know God will heal me in time and I focus on my rugby career.
“Next year I will definitely don the Fiji Drua jumper again.”
