GIFTED sportsman Iliesa Tanivula has written a new chapter in his colourful sporting career.
Having represented the country in athletics, soccer and school rugby, Tanivula has created another piece of history after being selected to be part of Team Fiji at the Rio Olympics.
His Olympic dream started while he was at high school but this dream was sidelined after he had secured a rugby contract in New Zealand.
Despite his 10-year stint in New Zealand, Tanivula always had Fiji at heart.
This motivated him to return home and share his rugby knowledge with the locals at the same time found himself in the sport’s history book.
Tanivula who shouldered the huge responsibility of taking over from Waisale Serevi as the Fiji 7s coach in 2008 said he didn’t imagined to fulfill his Olympics dream after his decision to play rugby ahead of athletics.
His 10-year stint with New Zealand rugby ended after he suffered series of injuries but the injuries did not stop him from his love for the game.
After hanging his boots through injuries, Tanivula switched to coaching.
Little did he know that this rugby transition enabled him to relive his Olympics dream.
On Sunday, Tanivula departed with four women’s 7s team members to Chile for a training camp before heading to Rio.
He said he was fortunate to fulfil his Olympics dream.
“Who would have thought to finally be part of the Olympics as a coach,” said Tanivula.
“Playing at the Olympics is something I dreamt of during my athletics days and to get closer to my dream as a rugby coach is special.
“It’s a huge transition, rugby evolves every year, few years back I was playing for New Zealand but now I am coaching in Fiji.”
He said despite playing for New Zealand he always had passion for the country which was one of the main reasons he wanted to return home and share his knowledge.
“Playing for New Zealand did not take away the fact of being a Fijian and I am grateful to fly the Fiji flag in the New Zealand team during my playing days.
He said being part of the Fiji women’s 7s team at the Rio Games was a humbling experience.
“Being part of this great bunch of girls is an honour,” said Tanivula.
“We have been working hard to secure a spot in the Olympics and the biggest challenge for the team is to conquer all obstacles in Rio.”
The side will face HSBC Women 7s World 7s Series champions Australia, USA and Colombia in their pool games.
“There is no easy pool,” said Tanivula.
“Aussie being world champions and like all other teams all would have prepared well.
“We are eagerly waiting for the opportunity to showcase our talents and we are ready to make the country proud.”
Tanivula has called on the people of Fiji to support the team in their prayers.
The former Auckland rugby player first broke into the limelight during his high school days at Natabua High School after being selected in the national athletics, under-17 soccer and school rugby teams.
After high school, he secured a rugby contract in New Zealand and in 1998 he played for his Nadi team in the Farebrother Sullivan Trophy challenge against Suva. It was from this game where his talent was spotted by Eddie Jones who later signed him up with the ACT Brumbies.
He also played for the Auckland Blues and Otago Highlanders Super 12 teams before winning the heart of Gordon Tietjens for a spot in the New Zealand 7s team.
In 2003 he was named the NPC player of the year and later moved to Japan in 2005. His rugby career was cut short through series of injuries and hung his rugby boots in 2006.
In his coaching career, he created history for guiding the Nadi team Farebrother Sullivan Trophy and the then Digicel (now known as Skipper Cup competition). Tanivula also guided the Western Crusaders to win the Colonial Cup and was promoted to coach the Fiji Warriors to win the Pacific Rugby Cup in 2009. He later replaced Waisale Serevi as the Fiji 7s coach and then moved across to lead the Fijiana 7s team until today.
