Nukubalavu village in Savusavu stood in solidarity to celebrate their son, Frank Lomani, as he played his 50th Super Rugby game yesterday at Churchill Park in Lautoka.
His family alongside the elders of his village traveled from Savusavu on Friday braving the rainy conditions at sea.
“We hired a bus to bring us here. There’s about 30 of us and we are blessed to have the blessings of the Vanua and to have the support of our village elders who are present to watch Frank in this special match,” his father Beato Raturaciri shared.
“We departed the village last night, it wasn’t an easy travel to Lautoka given the rainy weather but we were determined to make it to Churchill Park and show Frank our support in his 50th game.
“This is not just a special moment for our family but for the entire village of Nukubalavu. Frank always loved rugby when he was young, we would scold him to prioritize and finish his studies, he even ran away from home to pursue rugby in Viti Levu and we did not realize that this would be his future. I can say I’m happy that he did not give up on his dream because it has taken him places overseas, he defied all the odds and made our family and his village proud.”
Lomani’s family and village elders will return to Nukubalavu today.
“The village elders have given their advice as well from his family and we acknowledged him for his dedication towards his passion- a passion that we are getting to witness today.
“On our way here today (yesterday) we did not doubt that we would return to our village with the win and the success story of the Drua over the Force at Churchill Park,” Lomani’s father added.
Raturaciri also thanked those back in Nukubalavu for praying for their safety and for supporting their son in every game he plays.
