A Day to Remember for Baselala
Every week before Easter will have a special significance for the youngest Fijian Drua, Philip Baselala. Baselala, 18, made his Super Rugby debut for the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua against Melbourne Rebels at the HFC Bank Stadium last Saturday.
After the captain’s run on Friday, Baselala had headed home to cut grass in their Nabua home compound.
“Next minute his phone rang and it was just yes Sir, yes Sir and after that he (Philip) ran inside to take a shower,” his mother Elenoa Baselala said.
“The shower he took that day was the shortest one he’s had, and then he picked up his bag and was at the roadside to catch a cab.
“He is number four of my eight children and we were just as excited – there were 16 of us that were at the HSC Bank Stadium on the day. “That included the cousins and he paid for all our tickets.”
Halfback Baselala described his debut as an honour.
Baselala of Solotavui, Nakasaleka, Kadavu with maternal links to Jiliva, Nakasaleka in Kadavu is one of the youngest players to sign a full Super Rugby Pacific contract after he was awarded the full-time contract this season with the Fijian Drua early this year.
Like the Wainibuka song, Amania one people, one bus one river, mother Elenoa summed her son’s parental connections as one mountain, one district one bay (Kavala).
“It was an honour to play alongside the brothers; they are always encouraging me to train harder and push my limits.
“I had my family there and I gave my best, I will continue to improve on my best.”
The former Suva Grammar School Under-18 player replaces Drua halfback, Simione Kuruvoli who is recovering from a shoulder surgery. Baselala had played his first official game for the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua during the teams’ pre-season match against Melbourne Rebels early February this year. “Preparations were a bit intense for us back in Nadi but the team was well prepared.” “When the coach called me, I was ready. “I knew I had to step up, it was my first Super Rugby game and I gave my best.
“My family and friends are in Suva. While there were a lot of expectations especially from the Suva fans’ the result was positive.” Drua is on bye this week.