Veteran rugger and Flying Fijians’ prop Manasa Saulo is looking to retire after playing in his last Rugby World Cup next year in France.
The Wainawaqa, Naitasiri prop is part of the 34-member squad for the coming World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup (PNC), featuring the Flying Fijians, Tonga, Samoa and Australia A.
When asked if he is looking into retiring, he said he should while he “could still walk.”
He said there had been talks for him to take up coaching and he hoped, with his experience, he could help scout and train players who could play prop.
The 33-year-old said being part of the Fijian Drua team was great.
“I was fortunate to be part of the first Fijian team to play in the Super Rugby competition,” he said.
“It was a very good experience and eye opening for me.
“Facing big challenges within the team and playing week-in and week-out, was really tough.
“Having to train every day and going through game routines was very challenging. For me to be part of all of it, I was very fortunate. After the Drua season, I thought that was it, I had plans to move to another club in Australia, come home for a week and then go back. I was surprised when they told me that I should return to the Flying Fijians. We never know what God has instore for us.”
He said one of the challenges he faced was the tough competition from the young props within the team.
“During the Super Rugby Pacific season, we had a lot of young props and before our first match, I told our manager Peceli Derenalagi that I was going to play only three matches.
“This is to give way to the young ones to prove themselves. I think I might have played my 10th match when our manager reminded me that I had gone over my target.
“These young players coming up, they are strong and are well equipped but what they need is someone to mould them and develop their talent.
“To be a good prop, you should know what your position is and how you should play it.” He said getting spots in the Flying Fijians would be competitive.
“The coach has high expectations and he wants us to perform to the best of our abilities and prove ourselves as to why we deserve to play in this team.”
Saulo debuted for Fiji in 2012 in the match against England and he has been a regular starter for the Flying Fijians.
He played for Suva Rugby Union and in 2015, he was the key man in the Flying Fijians frontrow to the RWC. He later signed with RC Toulon before moving to London Irish.
He played for London Irish since 2017 and later joined Agen.
Last June, he signed up with Rugby Atlanta (ATL) and played in the American Major League Rugby (MLR) and later joined the Fijian Drua for the Super Rugby Pacific competition.
