Nabulagi has Japan U18 next on his list
The japan Under-18 side won Plate in the Youth Division. They defeated AJ Pallets Ba River 20-19 in the final
Making it to the Japan national Under-18 side is next for Eroni Naua Nabulagi. The former Queen Victoria and Natabua High School student was the only non-Japanese in the Japan Under-18 sevens side at the McDonald’s Fiji Coral Coast 7s over the weekend at Lawaqa Park, Sigatoka. Nabulagi was the top try scorer and his side won the plate competition in the Youth Division. They sneaked past AJ Pallets Ba River 2019 in the final.
The Vitogo, Lautoka young rugby player left for the Land of Cherry Blossoms three years ago on a rugby scholarship.
To be back after three years to play his first local sevens tournament was an exciting experience. Nabulagi shares maternal links to Narewa, Nadi.
He has completed his three-year high school scholarship; he starts his studies at university this year where he will be studying the next four years in Kyoto, Japan.
“There is another opportunity for me to go into camp with the Japan Under-18 XV’s team in February,” Nabulagi said. “I’m so thankful to the coach for selecting me to come with the team home, representing Japan.
“I was not expecting to be the top try scorer, but I thank the Lord for giving me the strength and power to be able to play and receive this award.”
Nabulagi added playing against his former local schoolmates was something he looked forward to at the three-day tournament.
“At the time we entered the ground all my former schoolmates from QVS, were marking me and calling out my name.
“They were good games, but they were also tough.
“Some of them played in the Dominion Brothers like Suliasi, Ponipate, Tuivuaka while Pau and Jona played for Ralagi Brothers.
The Japan team left on Monday.