A MEMBER of the 1957 Fiji 15s rugby team that toured New Zealand, Ratu Anare Secake, died at the age of 86 last Monday.
Secake was selected in the Fiji team to play against Western Samoa in 1955 as a loose forward.
He played three Tests and four provincial matches.
Fiji won those matches.
He also toured New Zealand in 1957.
The team manager was Ratu Penaia Ganilau. He was the Government representative. Ratu Penaia later became Fiji’s first president.
The side played two Tests against New Zealand Maori and 13 provincial matches.
The Fijians won eight, drew two and lost three matches.
The highlight of the tour was when the side defeated Auckland 38-17.
This was the unbeaten team which toured New Zealand and it was one of the proud moments where they beat the New Zealand Maoris in three Tests.
Secake also went to Tonga and represented Fiji in a number of Tests. In 1961, they were supposed to go and a play a Test in Australia or England and daughter Sainimere Secake said that was when her mum was pregnant and he had to stay back since he also had an ankle injury.
Sainimere said her father was a true and loyal servant of Fiji rugby and devoted his life to the sport.
“When I look at his achievement, I felt very proud on what he did for the country.
“The photo which I have is very rare and I doubt if anyone would have it,” she said.
“Most people want the photo because I believe we are the only ones who have a framed copy.
“Whenever people would come home and see the photo hanging inside our house they always ask him about his rugby career and he told them all the stories on the rugby field.
“He used to play in the forwards, wing, and full-back.”
Secake was originally from Nabitu, Tokatoka, Tailevu.
He has three children, son Ratu Waisea Secake, Sainimere is the second eldest and Fulori is the youngest of the siblings.
Secake also served in the Royal Fiji Military Forces.
He was part of the Fiji Infantry Regiment in 1952 where he went to Malaya and served in the intelligence section under the command of Major Bill Sorby in Batu Pahat from 1952-1954.
He returned to Fiji and continued playing rugby.
He had studied at Lelean Memorial School.
In 1948 he worked as a clerk for the Fijian Affairs Board.
“During our primary school days, he used to be a referee in the Suva Rugby Union and by that time, he had finished playing for Fiji.
“We used to come to Albert Park to watch the match between Lelean and Gaunavou and he used to officiate from 1972-1975,” Sainimere said.
“He loved doing his job.
“That was when I was born.
“I was told that he was the only surviving Fiji team member in the country and it is believed there was another player named Tomasi Naidole who I believe migrated to England, but we don’t know where he is now or if he is still alive.”
Sainimere said her dad, with age catching up, continued to cheer and support Fiji rugby in 15s and 7s.
She further said he was a big fan of Waisale Serevi.
“He used to admire Waisale Serevi for motivating and encouraging players on the field to do their best.
“Exercise was the important part of his life and that is what he used to tell young people,” she said.
“He served the country well in the military, public service and in rugby.
“He was a father who was full of laughter.
“He always told us after prayers that we should always exercise.
“He was very healthy and he did not have any sickness because he was eating the right food and used to do his exercise.”
Secake’s funeral will be held at his village in Tailevu next Friday at 10 am.
