Tell me a bit about your career history in sport/rugby (including any voluntary roles) so far.

I developed a passion for rugby during my high school years and was a member of the St. Peters College 1st XV team, which remained unbeaten throughout the 2000 season. We won the Auckland and New Zealand championships, as well as the Moascar Cup and the Hibernian Shield. From 2007 to 2012, I played professional and international rugby.

I represented Counties Manukau and Thames Valley in the NPC and Heartland Championship at the provincial level. I also had the privilege of representing Fiji and playing in the 2007 Rugby World Cup, earning 30 caps before deciding to retire from rugby and focus on my career outside of the sport.

As a player, I was always active in helping coach at the junior levels in New Zealand and Fiji.

After retiring, I continued to grow as a coach at a premier club level. In 2015, I moved to Waipu, Northland, to take up a work opportunity and joined the Waipu Rugby club. From 2016 to 2019, I coached the Waipu Prems team and also served as the head coach for the Northland development team from 2017 to 2019.

During this period, I had some successes, and my efforts led me to become the Forwards coach for the Taniwha team in the Northland NPC in 2020. I have continued in this role to the present day, having successful campaigns in the 2020 and 2022 seasons. My work with the dominant forward pack over three seasons led to me being offered the opportunity to become the Fiji Forwards Coach for the Fiji National team in 2022.

What made you want to work in sport/rugby?

My motivation for coaching rugby has always been about giving back to the community by creating opportunities for young athletes. Having grown up in Fiji, I understand that there are limited opportunities for young people, and this sense of giving back stems from my personal experience. Although I never intended to become a professional coach, I have always believed that good intentions lead to good things. Professional opportunities don't come along often, so when I was presented with the chance to challenge myself as a coach in 2020, I put my best foot forward with the support of my family.

What Super/National roles have you gone on to deliver? And what did this role look like?

I have recently been appointed as the Forwards Coach for the Fiji National Team for the 2022-2023 seasons. It is an incredible honor for me to coach my home country at the national level. Our team's quarter-final finish in the Rugby World Cup last year has been the highlight of my coaching career so far. Additionally, I have been offered the Brian Wilshire Coach Development Scholarship with the Blues this year. As part of this scholarship, I spend two days per week shadowing the Blues coaching team.

My primary roles were as a Scrum coach for the Blues U20 and Head coach of the Blues A team.

What new skills/experiences did you gain from these Super/National roles?

I am constantly trying to grow my ability to communicate effectively. My biggest learnings have been around the power of simplicity and effective questioning. The best coaches I have observed of late are masters of these skills.

What is your biggest motivator?

In rugby, I have a great passion for assisting others in bringing out the best versions of themselves. It gives me immense pleasure to witness the successful growth in character and physical ability of our athletes. I enjoy working alongside positive people who practice what they preach and work towards the higher purpose of the team and organization. This, in turn, brings out the best in me.

Above all else, my biggest motivation is to be the best father I can be for my family.

What advice would you give to others in Northland wanting to pursue a career in rugby?

If someone in Northland wants to pursue a career in rugby, here is some advice. Firstly, they should be prepared to work hard, as success in this industry requires a lot of effort. It's not a typical job where you clock in and out - it demands a lot of time and sacrifices, which only your close ones will understand.

3 key learnings coaching professionally:

1. Prioritize a healthy balance between rugby and personal life to avoid burning out. In this field, job requirements often come at a cost to family and social life. It is crucial to switch on and off from rugby to maintain a healthy balance.
2. Be prepared to face situations out of their control. There will be times where things will not go as planned, and it can be disheartening. However, if someone's actions align with their motivations, they can navigate through difficult experiences.
3. If someone is lucky enough to be part of an environment that is people-focused, the highs will always outweigh the lows.

What has been your biggest challenge, and how have you overcome this?

Spending time away from my family and home has been my biggest challenge. To overcome this, I prioritize quality time to spend with them. Additionally, having a great support network from my extended family has been huge in terms of knowing that they are taken care of when I am away from home.

What are you most looking forward to in 2024?

Our HP and community teams have put in a lot of effort in recent years to build a Taniwha team that comprises mostly of local talent. Our squad is fully capable of challenging for the title in 2024. I am optimistic about the Taniwha's consistent performances, which will put us into contention for the finals.

Article added: Wednesday 08 May 2024