Former Fiji Rugby Union and Highlanders winger Aisea Tuilevu says it is important for supporters and the ‘lewe ni vanua’ to fully back the Fijian Drua – whether they win or lose against his former team this weekend.
Tuilevu was present at a Drua training session at the Vodafone Arena in Suva yesterday afternoon helping out the boys with a few drills and personal tips.
“From my personal perspective, I believe we as supporters of the Fijian Drua should give the team space and time to develop, grow and get used to the competition,” he said.
He says with many young players in the team, it will take some time for the boys to get used to the intensity of the game.
Nevertheless, he said he was amazed and impressed with their past performances against more experienced teams.
“We should look at our boys’ losses as lessons learned as they test new waters, especially when they’re up against huge teams with much more experience and have been in the competition for decades.”
Tuilevu wished the Fijian Drua well as they prepare to play their hearts out for Fiji against the Otago Highlanders this Saturday at the ANZ Stadium.
“I believe it all comes down to who wants it the most.
“For the Drua playing in their home ground and having their people around them as they play, I have faith they will give their best as they put their life on the line for our country this Saturday.”
After playing for Fiji at the Hong Kong 7s in the 1990s, Tuilevu made his Test debut against South Africa in 1996 at Pretoria.
He also featured for Fiji in the qualifying games at the 1999 Rugby World Cup in Wales.
Tuilevu went on to represent Fiji at the 2003 Rugby World Cup, playing three games in which he scored two tries against Japan.
He represented the country 38 times, scoring 29 tries, mostly while playing in the position of winger.
