Highlanders’ special connection with Fiji
Timoci Tavatavanawai feels right at home in the Highlanders backline. The Highlanders back three have a special connection this season, with wingers Tavatavanawai and Jona Nareki hailing from Fiji, and New Zealand-born Fijian Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens at fullback.
While Tavatavanawai might be going through a six-month kava layoff, the blockbusting winger has found plenty of other ways to connect with his electric backline.
“We just talk to each other, which is good to have those Fijians (who) understand each other really well with body language and the language we have,” Tavatavanawai said.
Despite most recently being known for his breakout seasons with Tasman and Moana Pasifika, Tavatavanawai has a long-standing connection to Dunedin.
Known to his friends as “Jim”, Tavatavanawai trained with the Highlanders as an injury cover in 2021 and suited up for Southern during the club season.
He remembered his season with Southern fondly, receiving the donated meat packs with open arms, and one of his funniest memories came when he had to play in division two and felt “sorry for the boys”. “It was really fun playing for the mighty Magpies.” T h e 26-year-old returned to Dunedin this year on a two-year deal with the Highlanders, and said it was a tough decision to leave Moana Pasifika. But he felt he left their No 14 jersey in a good spot and the opportunity to learn in the Highlanders environment was too good to pass up. He has made quite the impression in their opening six games, winning five jackal turnovers, the most of any back and the second-most of any player overall.
His work under the high ball had been valuable, too, a skill he credited to learning under Highlanders great Ben Smith.
“He taught us a lot ... just learn from the best,” Tavatavanawai said. Growing up as a centre also showed Tavatavanawai’s worth when he shifted into the middle last week when Tanielu Tele’a was red carded, and having a second position in his “back pocket” was handy.
Moving to Dunedin, Tavatavanawai’s focus was on earning his spot for the Highlanders every week, and now he had ticked that off, his next goal was to either represent the All Blacks or Fiji.