Ratu Filise, the factory that breeds players
Ratu Filise is a rugby factory – we breed our own’ The Namatakula village home team that is as old at the Marist sevens event, Ratu Filise has been around since beginning. Club media liaison officer Dreu Navukailagi said their taking part in the 47th Fiji Bitter sevens in two weeks is an opportunity they cannot miss.
“Marist sevens is the highest level of sevens in terms of exposure, we have been part of it since its inception,” Navukailagi said.
“The players now in the side are the third and fourth generation of the players that pioneered the club.
“We breed rugby players, we are the rugby factory. Many and more have gone overseas, found greener pastures.
“We are grateful to the GPS Rugby Club for their partnership with us in our breeding more rugby players.”
Founded in 1887, GPS Rugby Club is based at Ashgrove in Brisbane that plays in the Queensland Premier Rugby competition.
GPS also participates in the Brisbane Grades and Colts competitions, and in the “Golden Oldies” competition for the over 35’s.
Sons of Namatakula including the Tuqiri and Batibasaga brothers initiated the partnership after signing up with GPS in the early 1970s.
That partnership is still intact that GPS the Ratu Filise team is outfitted with GPS colours.
The last time Ratu Filise won the Marist sevens was in 1997, that year Fiji won the Melrose Cup with two of their own Luke Erenavula and the late Aminiasi Natuiyaga in the national sevens team. That year Ratu Filise boasted the likes of Fero Lasagavibau, Filipe Tawayaga, Bruce Rawaqa, current club coach Etika Tovilevu, Sikeli Votonisiga, Josevata Nagasaukula and Romulo Tanikomave. Products of the Ratu Filise rugby factory produced rugby great like the Batibasaga brothers: Asaeli, Ilikimi and Simeli; Tuqiri borthers: Lote Senior and Tukula; Viliame Tani, Mesake Seavula, Moa Nadruku, Erenavula, Isei Nasiganiyavi, Etuate Honda Gusuivalu, Keleto Loboilagi, Mesake Rasari, Temesia Kaumaia, Etuate Waqa, Natuilagilagi, Sovita Nagata, Sirilo Lala, Lote Tuqiri, Tovilevu, Peniasi Damu, Leveni Vatureba, Lasagavibau, Saiasi Rabo, Joeli Lutumailagi, George
Ali, Eparama Navale and Amenioni Nasilasila.
“With majority of our players gone overseas, we still have those that came through our Under-18, U19 and U20, we are still breeding rugby players.
“We took part in the Nawaka 7s and we held the Fiji Development side to a draw.
“We took part in the recent Serua 7s and we lost in the quarterfinals to the eventual winners Uluinakau while our U21 lost in the final to Ravuka.
“The results are a good indication; our factory is still churning rugby players.”