I came close to playing for Fiji: Reece
All Blacks wing Sevu Reece has confirmed he was in contact with Fiji before the Rugby World Cup and was poised to wear the white of his homeland before the All Blacks knocked on his door.
Reece is set to be named in the All Blacks No 14 jersey against Fiji in Dunedin on Saturday, and it will be an emotional occasion for the speedster as he faces several “close mates” who he grew up with.
The worsening COVID-19 situation in Fiji will make it all the more poignant for Reece, George Bower and Hoskins Sotutu, a trio of All Blacks with strong Fijian links.
That affinity Reece has for his homeland was evident on Tuesday as he revealed how torn he was in 2019 as he weighed up saying yes to Fiji Rugby’s overtures or trying to crack the All Blacks.
“The head coach for Fiji (then John McKee), he was messaging me just before the World Cup,” Reece said.
“I was in a position where I didn’t know whether I was going to make the All Blacks.
“He gave me a call, and I was going to catch up with him ... to be fair I was ‘this close’ (signals a small gap with his fingers) to playing for Fiji. “The talent we’ve got here (in New Zealand) is just crazy. It was a really tough decision, because I’m only 24.
Happened a lot fast
“I’ve got a plan for me personally. I could wait a few more years and try and crack the All Blacks, but it happened a lot faster for me. It was pretty special.”
Reece’s story is a familiar one for many players of Pacific Island descent who grow up dreaming of playing for their home countries, but opt to do otherwise for a host of reasons.
Prop Bower also told Stuff last year that he faced a “hard decision” to turn down Fiji at the 2019 Rugby World Cup, after McKee had tried to recruit him for the showpiece event in Japan.
The complex issue has been put firmly back on agenda after Tonga were thrashed 102-0 by the All Blacks in Auckland last week, and the presence of Tongan-born hooker Samisoni Taukei’aho at All Blacks training in Dunedin on Saturday was a reminder of the power balance that exists in the international game.
Reece– whose family remain in Fiji– acknowledged that he grew up with visions of playing for Fiji, although the exploits of Fijian wings Joe Rokococko and Sitiveni Sivavatu also inspired him to chase the black jersey.
“I grew up in Fiji...then I moved over here for secondary school,” he said.
“Growing up in Fiji, you watched the Sevens and the XVs, and that was obviously your goal ... just like any New Zealand kid who wants to play for the All Blacks ... for me growing up you obviously wanted to play for Fiji.”
The Crusaders wing also joked that the All Blacks’ Fijian trio would have a target on their backs on Saturday, and emphasised what it would mean for Fiji as the country battles against rising COVID-19 infection numbers.
“Games like this...it’s a small country and everyone loves rugby,” he said. “Fiji versus the All Blacks is a massive achievement, not just for the Fiji team but for the whole of Fiji.”