A FIRST-SEASON standout, 13-year-old Pita Seuriviti powers Nadera Panthers to under-13 glory and earns the finals’ best player award.
At just 13, Pita Seuriviti has already shown he has the strength, determination and hunger to make his mark in rugby league.
In his first season with Nadera Panthers, the Tailevu youngster produced a commanding performance to help his side defeat Nabua Broncos 20-4 in the Vodafone Cup National Age Grade under-13 final at the University of the South Pacific grounds in Suva last Saturday.
The Panthers prop was a dominant force in the middle, winning collisions, punching holes in the Broncos’ defence and making valuable metres whenever his team needed momentum.
His efforts were rewarded in the second half when he powered through four defenders to score a crucial try, capping an impressive display that also featured several bone-jarring tackles.
Seuriviti’s performance earned him the best player of the under-13 final award, a recognition he admitted he had not expected.
“Coming into the match, I never thought I would win the best player award,” he said.
Joining the Panthers was never part of his original plan. However, an invitation from a friend changed that.
“Growing up in Nadera, I’ve heard so much about this team,” he said.
“Until one day a friend of mine invited me to join the team. I did, and now I’m part of the team.”
Panthers coach Uraia Koroi said Seuriviti had been a revelation in his debut season, crediting his willingness to listen and his commitment on the field.
“Pita is a very good player. He listens well to our instructions and he plays really hard,” Koroi said.
Having discovered a passion for the game in his first season, Seuriviti now has his sights set on a bigger dream — representing the Fiji Bati at junior level.
For a youngster whose rugby league journey began with a friend’s invitation, yesterday’s performance could be the beginning of something much bigger.
Seuriviti. Picture: JOHN TABORE
