Hetet Makes Dad Proud
Former Flying Fijians captain and prop Joeli Veitayaki believes that his son is on the right track in following his path. Haereiti Hetet, who also plays at prop, gets his break by playing for the Barbarians against England on October 25 at Twickenham. Straight after that duty, the former Maori All Blacks join Vern Cotter’s Flying Fijians side for the Autumn Nations Cup.
I arranged for him to go and try to make the Fiji under-20 but the selectors said that he was too young. Joeli Veitayaki Former Flying Fijian captain
The Fijians will take on France, Italy and Scotland.
Veiteyaki, 53, vividly recalls four years ago when Hetet wanted to play for the Fijian Under- 20. “I arranged for him to go and try to make the Fiji under-20 but the selectors said that he was too young,” said Veitayaki.
“Look at him now, he has played for Waikato, New Zealand Maori and even Bay of Plenty rugby. And now he has even landed at the Heathrow Airport in London.”
The Matuku, Lau, native added that whatever happened it did not deter his son’s dream to play for Fiji.
“I am looking forward to watching him wear the white jersey that l once wore for so long, when I represented our lovely country, Fiji, a long time ago,” he said.
“I wish Haereiti all the best. Keep trusting God almighty to guide and strengthen you in everything you do.”
Veitayaki also thanked the Otorohanga Rugby Club officials who were instrumental in developing Hetet’s career.
Veitayaki played for Fiji at the 1999 Rugby World Cup in France alongside High Performance Unit general manager Simon Raiwalui.