Wainiqolo Impresses Dad
Jiuta Wainiqolo, 20, is likely to make his debut for the Fiji Airways Flying Fijians next Saturday.
And his sudden rise baffles his dad who was among family members who wish him luck at Nadi International Airport yesterday. The Nayavuira, Rakiraki, Ra native is among the John McKeecoached
side that will face Barbarians for the Killik Cup at Twickenham, London.
His father, Nemia Wainiqolo, 57 said: “His sudden rise to be a Flying Fijian continues to baffle me. “He was good player while at Ratu Kadavulevu School and then Drua and now a Flying Fijian. My wife Ulamila and I are very proud of him.”
Wainiqolo (Snr) played fullback for Nausori Rugby Club at the then Rewa rugby side in 1994. “This was my first year in the Drua and I’ve learned a lot from experienced players,” Jiuta said. “I was surprised to be named as part of the team to play at Twickenham as there are a lot of experienced of players like Rory Best.” He was part of the RKS Under-18 team in 2018, the same year they made a clean sweep of all the agegrade titles.
He played for the RKS Eels U19 team and had a stint with the Cronulla Sharks U20 rugby league team in the NRL,
He returned and played for Nabua Rugby club and featured for Suva in the Skipper Cup.
“There will be tough competition on who to play winger,” said the youngest of six siblings.