Buatava to bow out with Bond on the rise

BOND University gave veteran scrumhalf Vitori Buatava the perfect celebration for his 150th and penultimate appearance for the club.

The former Fijian international was emotional in addressing the Robina home crowd after their 46-15 thumping of Souths on Saturday, announcing he would hang up the boots after this season.

The milestone man started at fullback in the reserves before backing up with a brief stint off the premier grade bench.

Buatava has been a fixture in Bond University and Gold Coast Breakers top sides since debuting in 2004 but recognised the time is now right to make way for the club’s rising wave of talent.

“He had a really heartfelt speech … he is excited and he doesn’t want to be standing in the way of any young players coming through,” coach Sean Hedger said.

“He knows that Harry (Nucifora, Australian under-20 scrumhalf) and those guys are the future of the club and he feels that the club is in good hands and he is happy to step aside.”

While Bond have upped their game since their under-20 nationals returned, it was two other developing players who shone against a flat Souths: No. 8 Zach Moimoi and inside centre Fred Keil.

Though Bond are bound for the wooden spoon, the dominant display – in which Keil, Tai Ford, Nick Turner, Brad Jones, Michael Marshall and Hayden Sargeant all scored tries – was a timely morale boost. The side’s final game of the season is next weekend away against University of Queensland, who suffered their first loss of 2017 in a 45-42 try-athon against GPS.