“Support the brothers from Fiji.” That’s the call from a Pacific Islander living in Bordeaux, France, as the FIJI Water Flying Fijians remain the only team from the region to hopefully make the quarter-finals of the Rugby World Cup.
With Samoa and Tonga likely to exit the tournament in the pool stages, Fiji faces Portugal on Monday to try and book its place in the last eight.
Malarua Soko Falatea is from New Caledonia.
His dad is from Wallis and Futuna and mum is from Tahiti. He moved to Bordeaux last year in September, and works as a police officer for the Lormont council.
He is part of the escort team which looks after the Flying Fijians while in Bordeaux.
Falatea said his experience with the Fiji team was something he would cherish.
“I have been part of the escort team for Fiji and it’s very nice for us to see the boys train every day,” he said.
“I hope they go to the final and I wish them all the best.
“I’ve made good friends with the players, and always when people from the islands meet up it’s like we’ve known each other for long.
“I wish they reach the final and play France. I hope to one day play with some of them because they are good players.
“We need to support our Fiji brothers because they carry the Pacific’s hopes now at the world cup.”
He said he would miss the players dearly after the world cup. Fiji plays Georgia on Monday at 7am.
