KALIOVA Saunirogo experienced a whirlwind of emotions as he watched his younger brother Joji Nasova make his debut for the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua in the Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific. Despite the challenging weather conditions, including rain and flooded roads in Ba, Nasova’s family made the journey to Churchill Park in Lautoka to celebrate this momentous occasion.
In a heartfelt interview, Saunirogo expressed the significance of the day for their family. “We come from a very humble background, starting our journey in the cane fields of Ba. Education wasn’t our strength, but we all agreed to let them move to Suva to pursue rugby. Fast forward a few years, and here we have Nasova playing for the Drua, while another brother is contracted in France,” he shared tearfully.
Saunirogo’s pride in his brother’s achievements stems from their family’s perseverance and sacrifices. “I cried the first time I saw him in that white jersey representing the Fiji 7s team. It’s been quite a journey. At one point, I was in Australia under the NEC scheme, supporting them in every possible way, and now he’s reached the level we always hoped for in rugby,” he recalled.
With hopes high for Nasova’s performance, Saunirogo expressed his desire for him to impress enough to secure a spot in the next game, which will be held in their hometown of Ba. “We told him to play to the best of his ability, score a few tries, and make sure he gets selected again. If that happens, it will be a special moment for our entire family. Relatives will definitely be there to cheer him on.”
As Nasova embarks on what will be his first and last season with the Drua, there’s an anticipation of the impact he will have on the team’s future. His journey thus far is an inspiring testament to hard work and determination, reflecting the dreams and aspirations of his family.