Lasarusa Senibale, the respected head coach of the Naitasiri under-20 rugby team and assistant head coach of the Fiji U18 team, was honored as he was laid to rest yesterday. His funeral service took place at Centenary Methodist Church before he was interred at the new Lovonilase Cemetery, located just outside Suva.
Senibale passed away unexpectedly on October 3 while touring Australia with the Fiji under-18 schoolboys team, where he was preparing for their second Test match against the Australian Schoolboys. He was 52 years old at the time of his death.
During the eulogy, Sale Sorovaki, operations manager of the Fiji Rugby Union, remembered Senibale as a straightforward individual embodying fatherly love. Sorovaki noted Senibale’s significant achievements in rugby, especially being the first Fijian to earn a level three coaching accreditation from World Rugby, underscoring his important role in the development of the sport in Fiji.
The service included heartfelt eulogies from various representatives, including those from the vanua, the Ministry of Education, the Fijian Teachers Association, and his family. A moving rendition of “Now Is The Hour (To Say Goodbye)” by the Suva Head of Schools Association served as a poignant tribute to Senibale’s legacy. As his coffin was carried out, mourners sang the hymn “Kaya Oti Na Noda Kalou,” reflecting the deep communal sorrow upon his passing.
Prominent attendees at the funeral included Cabinet ministers Aseri Radrodro and Jese Saukuru, students from Suva Methodist Primary School, where Senibale had previously served as head teacher, along with members of the national under-18 team he had recently coached.
Senibale is survived by his wife Liviana Bula, their children Barbara, Kasaya, Lasarusa Dokai Jr., and Lasarusa Juju, as well as his grandchild Josie Senibale Radaveta. His unwavering commitment to the sport and dedication to nurturing young talent in Fiji will be fondly remembered, leaving a substantial impact on both the rugby community and his local community.
In light of recent losses within the Fijian rugby community, including the departures of other beloved figures, it becomes essential to reflect on the bonds forged through the sport and the enduring legacy that individuals like Senibale leave behind. The outpouring of support from the community underscores the resilience and unity within Fijian rugby, even amidst profound grief. This sentiment serves as a testament to the communal spirit and dedication to remembrance that characterizes the sporting culture in Fiji.