Veteran rugger and Flying Fijians prop Manasa Saulo said every Fijian rugby player looking for a professional career in the sport should be inspired by the arrival of the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua to play the Highlanders at the ANZ Stadium on Saturday.
He is urging Fijian players, especially those who are unemployed to seize the opportunity of the possibility to play in the Super Rugby Pacific competition.
“Qo na ka e ra tatadrataka tu ko ira na tamada kei ira na tuakada vakarakavi (This was the chance our fathers and our elder brothers in rugby were looking for during their playing time),” the tighthead prop said.
The former St Agnes Primary School, Suva, and army rep was among the stand out players against the Blues last week.
He is giving himself two more seasons in the franchise before deciding on his future.
“We are lucky that Fiji is in the Super Rugby competition. We should grab the chance and never let go. This is the time to make our mark.
“I call on every Fijian player to step up and make their names in rugby. We will not be all teachers, doctors and soldiers. We have our God-given talents, all we got to do is change our mindset and attitude, and grab this opportunity. One of the biggest barriers is that we always look down on ourselves. When we go abroad, the culture shock and language barrier are two biggest distractions. In the Fijian Drua, we are taught to be professional. This is different from the Flying Fijians where Tests come once a year. In Super Rugby, we play Test level matches every week. If we do not work hard, someone else takes our position.
“We fight for out position in the team. If we fail, we’ll fall. Local-bases players should seize this opportunity. Change the way you think of you want to play professional rugby.
“Stop taking rugby as a leisure activity, change your lifestyle if you are serious in a rugby career. You will succeed off your sacrifice. Local-based players can do it, but we have to change the way we think and live if we want to succeed.”
Fijian Drua coach Mick Byrne said Saulo was one of the leaders of the squad who had a lot of experience to teach younger players.
“As you grow older, you have a lot of secrets. Saulo is one of the experienced players who has a lot of secrets and he showed it against the Blues last week. He is an asset to the team,” Byrne said.
Byrne, Chris Nimimbi, Teti Tela and Tevita Ikanivere were guests of a Fiji Media Association press club event at the Albert Park complex in Suva yesterday.
Meanwhile, the Highlanders had a training session yesterday.
The teams are expected to be named today.
The match starts at 4.35pm on Saturday.
