Rugby legend Joeli Vidiri has been described as rugby’s Prince of Wings by another rugby great and former All Blacks steelman, Sir Michael ‘Iceman’ Jones.
Sir Michael made the tag on the Fijian speedster from Mosi Village in the Nausori Highlands who was buried in New Zealand yesterday.
Vidiri,48, died in the United States late last month. New Zealand rugby greats such as Eric Rush, Sir Michael, Tana Umaga, Eroni Clarke, Ofisa Francis Junior Tonu’u, Ali Williams and former All Blacks coaches, Sir Graham Henry and John Hart, were among people from all walks of life who attended the funeral.
The late Jonah Lomu’s wife, Nadene, former Fiji rugby lock and former Auckland Blues’ Apenisa Naevo and Vidiri’s mother, Alumeci Naqera were part of the funeral.
“He saved us a few times,” Sir Micheal said.
“He had the power, pace and poise and we were blessed to have him and Jonah Lomu. It’s very much the legacy this man had made that we will remember forever.
“He is a trailblazer and we salute him. He is the prince of wings, prince of Counties and a king to his family and all of us. Joeli, moce toka mada.”
Vidiri’s funeral service was held at the Pukekohe Rugby Football Club ground where he and Naevo started before they were selected into the Counties team and Auckland Blues.
Vidiri went on to join the All Blacks while Naevo played for Fiji.
Members of Vidiri’s club thanked his wife Lavenia Ratabua, who lives in the US, for allowing the former Fiji and NZ 7s and 15s winger to be buried in NZ.
