Tikoisolomone Shares Super Rugby Experience with Raiwasa
Vereniki Tikoisolomone picked up a lot of lessons while playing rugby in New Zealand.
The 24-year-old played for Taranaki in the Bunnings National Provincial Cup and was an injury replacement for the Highlanders in last year’s Super Rugby Pacific season.
The Naivivi, Qamea winger was glad to be back in the country to play for his former sevens club Raiwasa Taveuni at the McDonald’s Fiji Coral Coast 7s last weekend.
Raiwasa lost 26-12 to Uluinakau in the men’s plate final at Lawaqa Park, Sigatoka last Saturday.
“The last time I played 7s was in 2018,” Tikoisolomone said.
“I am having a break, visiting my family and also having some game time with the Raiwasa team. “I have learnt more while in New Zealand, especially having teammates like Aaron Smith and Shannon Michael Frizell. I shared those experiences with my friends in Fiji.
“It includes learning to control the game when under pressure and always communicate in the field,” the former Holy Cross College stu
dent added.
Tikoisolomone indicated that he was approached to play for the Fijian Drua however he turned it down to allow chances for the local boys.
“My dream was to play at international level and to represent either Fiji or New Zealand – I will leave that to God.
“Drua gave me an offer last year; I gave the chance to the local boys in the Skipper Cup.
“If it is God’s will for me to return to the Drua next year, I will come back.
Tikoisolomone will be in the United States for six months before he returns for the NPC.
“I will work hard to get back into Super Rugby.”