I Wish Rabeni Was Alive: Vuate
19-year-old Kaiviti Silktails signs 3-year contract with Sydney Roosters
Leicester experience inspired youngster to chase dream
After signing with National Rugby League (NRL) club Sydney Roosters, 19-year old, Vuate Karawalevu’s only wish was for Seru Rabeni to be alive to see his progress.
Rabeni, a former Flying Fijian star centre’s influence inspired a young Karawalevu to pursue a career as a professional sportsman.
Speaking to SUNsports, Karawalevu said, growing up in Leicester, England enabled him to see Rabeni’s achievements with the Leicester Tigers and that what motivated him. “I was small then but my mum would often tell me stories of how I adored Seru’s achievements in Leicester,” he said.
“I always tell my mum back then that when I grow up I wanted to be a professional rugby player like Rabeni.
“Now that I’m in the Roosters environment I’m blessed and I thank God for introducing Rabeni to me at an early age so that I’m driven by his achievements.
“My only wish was that Rabeni was alive today to see how far I’ve come in my rugby career and now that I’ve ventured into rugby league. Karawalevu said, whenever Rabeni’s wife and children visited them
in Suva, it always bring back memories of him.
“Watching what Rabeni does and buys for us really motivated me from a young age.
“He had cars, played professional rugby, money, a big house and literally treated everyone with a kind heart.”
In 2007, Rabeni starred for Tigers when they won the English Premiership.
He studied and graduated at Otago University while playing for the Highlanders in Super Rugby. Rabeni died on March 15, 2016
Like Rabeni, Karawalevu also played for Naitasiri. He made his debut in last year’s Skipper Cup before he was recruited by the Kaiviti Silktails.
The former Marist Brothers High School student said he’s humbled by the opportunity given to him by the Roosters.
The Dravuwalu, Kadavu native with maternal links to Tau, Nadroga signed a three-year contract with the Roosters and is a step away from turning his dream to reality of becoming a professional player Karawalevu said has never played a game of rugby league, but the Roosters have landed him an opportunity to shine in the NRL.
“It’s been a long time coming and I want to thank the club for this chance,” he said.
“I’m humbled to have come this far and I want to thank God for his provision and leadership in my career. “This is such an exciting time for me and my aim is to learn as much as I can to help me grow in the game. “I thank coach, Wes Naiqama and the Kaiviti Silktails for taking me on board and teaching me about rugby league.”
Karawalevu said his gratitude also goes to the Naitasiri Rugby Union and to his former school, MBHS, for nurturing his sporting career. “Special thanks to my family back home for their endless prayers and support, they have been my rock. “Now it’s time to put my head down and start the hard work at training.”