YATO WEDS MILI

Gutsy loosie takes on new challenges

Gutsy Flying Fijians looseman takes on new commitments in life as a husband and father

Looking ahead to France 2023, he wants to play a pivotal role in the next Rugby World Cup

Fiji Airways Flying Fijians and Clermont loose forward Peceli Yato has declared that he wants to play a pivotal role at the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France.

Yato said this after his marriage to Milinia Drau got blessed at the Saioni Methodist Church in Narewa Village, Waicoba, Nadroga yesterday.

“The feeling is great as this day comes only once,” he said.

“I’m happy as this marks a new beginning for me as a man, a husband and a father. The support from our family members to be here is a great treasure for us.”

Yato and his family return to join his French club Clermont on Monday.

“I’m ready to go now. I’ve another another three seasons with the club. Preparations will be tough for the Top 14 but it’s nothing new.”

Yato said he has fully recovered and he also went to Nadroumai for some traditional healing.

“It is very important and I needed it for my rugby career. I’m aiming for the Rugby World Cup 2023 in

France. What happened in Japan was something that we did not expect as we were a good team.” His wife Milinia hails from Rararua in Nadroga.

“It is emotional as my family members are here to celebrate this auspicious occasion. We planned to have this after the RWC 2019,” she said.

“It is not easy to be a rugby player’s wife, but I will do anything for someone I love in this case it’s Peceli.

“Win or loss I will be there with our three children.”

The couple were legally married in 2014.

Yato attended Waicoba District School and got his secondary education at Sigatoka Valley High School and Sigatoka Mission College.

He played for Fiji at the 2013 IRB Junior World Championship after which he was picked by ASM Clermont Auvergne as an espoir. He made his Top 14 debut off the bench against Bayonne RC in January 2014.

In the 2014/15 T14 season, he played 10 games for Clermont scoring 7 tries, 2 of which was against Stade Français who went on to win that season.

Photo: Waisea Nasokia NEWLY WEDS... Fiji Airways Flying Fijians looseman Peceli Yato with his bride Milinia Yato at the Methodist Church in Narewa, Nadroga, on October 25, 2019.

Photo: Waisea Nasokia From left: Setareki Tawakevou, Fiji Airways Flying Fijians forward Peceli Yato, wife Milinia and Kasanita Naraya at the Saioni Methodist Church in Narewa, Waicoba in Nadroga on October 25, 2019.

Photo: Waisea Nasokia Fiji Airways Flying Fijians forward Peceli Yato and wife Mili at the Saioni Methodist Church in Narewa in Nadroga on October 25, 2019.