I’ll try Fiji, says former All Blacks centre

After two years in Bordeaux, the Tamanivalu’s moved to Tokyo at the end of last year, with him joining Toshiba Brave Lupus in the Japan Top League.

Rugby commitments and the small matter of a global pandemic meant he had not been able to visit his parents in Fiji since December 2018, but the family -including wife Brittany and son Ricky (who turns three in a couple of weeks and will become a big brother in July) - did their best to keep in touch via social media, he said.

“We have a group chat there and sometimes we call each other because we’re trying to keep that connection with my son because they’re missing out a lot of stuff with my son- the same as my wife Brittany’s family (in New Zealand), so we’re trying to keep in touch every day.

“They ring every day with Skype and speak Fijian to him and stuff like that.”

The former Crusaders star is among familiar faces at his new club Toshiba Brave Lupus, with Matt Todd, Tim Bateman and Jack Stratton all former teammates from his time in Christchurch.

Hometown hero

Now, with a Rugby World Cup on the horizon in 2023, Tamanivalu was eyeing the chance to represent his Fijian heritage on the international stage.

“I know there’s a lot of people (who would be quick) to criticise. They said, ‘oh you choose to play for New Zealand, why do this?’ “But I think it would be something good for the people in Fiji - especially for the boys who are playing for Tonga and Samoa as well- to give back to their community and kids would love to see those people coming back to play for their home country.” Tamanivalu is a cousin of Flying Fijians midfielder Waisea Nayacalevu and played alongside Semi

Radradra during his two seasons in France.

He said the current squad and another Fiji-born former All Black, Joe Rokocoko, had encouraged him to put his hand up for selection.

“They said you should definitely try and play for Fiji, try and have a crack if they are interested in you, if the coach is interested in you it’s something you should do.

“I played with Semi Radradra in Bordeaux as well as a few of the Flying Fijian boys there and they said you should definitely try and play,” he said.

“It actually gives me confidence that the players encouraged me to do that as well, their support.”

Path to follow

In order to complete the switch, Tamanivalu would have to play for Fiji in at least five legs of the 2022/23 World Sevens Series, which would qualify him in time to wear white at the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

“If they have a spot for me there I will definitely be keen to play for Fiji. I know it will be a hard team to get involved in- they have a few athletes there that are unreal.”

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