Secret path to rugby stardom
Mayanavanua
WHILE rugby fans have rued the Flying Fijians being denied the opportunity to test their mettle against France, Scotland and Italy because of COVID-19, the baby of the team said being quarantined could be viewed as a godsend.
Speaking to this newspaper from the team’s camp in France, lock forward Temo Mayanavanua said there was no denying the disappointment at being ruled out of the three Tests.
But he also said the time in quarantine thrusted them into a situation where they were forced to bond in a way that would not have been possible in pre-COVID times.
“It was a disappointing time for us because we were really looking forward to playing against those two sides,” the 22-year-old said.
The towering lock said it was not all doom and gloom for them as they were able to bond together because of the COVID-19 cloud that hung over their heads.
“It was a special moment for me because I only see most of
TEMO Mayanavanua’s family is relishing the chance to see him run against Georgia tomorrow (Sunday).
The towering lock forward was named by national coach Vern Cotter in a star-studded line-up to play in the Flying Fijians’ inaugural match in the Autumn Nations Cup.
Mayanavanua’s uncle, Korovulavula Kolinisau, the elder brother of former Fiji 7s skipper Osea, said the 22-year-old was raised in the Kolinisau household in Cunningham, near Suva alongside Osea.
“Temo lost his mother when he was in Class One, so ever since then he was raised in our house,” Kolinisau said.
He said the family had been astounded with Mayanavanua’s rapid rise from Suva club rugby competition as a 16-year-old to donning the white jersey.
“We groomed Temo as a player in the Covenant Brothers Rugby Club where he played his first game with only five minutes remaining against Toorak Blues.” these star players lsuch as (Semi) Radradra, (Nemani) Nadolo and (Levani) Botia on television and to get to know them personally was surreal.”
Mayanavanua said the experienced players really opened up to the young players during the quarantine period and shared their knowledge.
“These tough times we faced with COVID-19 really allowed us to bond, reflect and learn as much as possible and we have come out as a stronger unit because of it.”
The former Suva Grammar School student had a memorable
After enjoying his first taste of local rugby, Mayanavanua got more game time and he honed his skills in the competitions.
In 2017 Mayanavanua was selected by former national 7s coach Ben Ryan to play in the Fiji Junior 7s side in the Junior Commonwealth Games in the Cook Islands.
“When he returned from the Commonwealth Games, he was drafted into the Suva under-20 side before being selected to join the Suva senior team.”
Mayanavanua was taken into the Fiji Rugby Union’s High Performance Academy before being convinced by his uncle, Osea to move to New Zealand, where he was selected in the Northland team in the Mitre Cup competition.
Test debut last year where he scored a try in Fiji’s 33-31 victory over the Barbarians to win the Kilik Cup.
Mayanavanua said the players were hungry for playing time and were itching to run on to the pitch tomorrow (Sunday) in their tussle against Georgia. The towering lock is currently signed to French Top 14 side Lyon as a medical joker, and plays alongside Josua Tuisova and former French international Noa Naikataci. Mayanavanua will partner Tevita Ratuva in the Flying Fijians second row to face Georgia tomorrow.
It was during this time in New Zealand that he caught the eye of then Flying Fijians coach John McKee, who roped in Mayanavanua to make his Test debut against the Barbarians last year.
Mayanavanua is now plying his trade in the French Top 14 club, Lyon alongside Josua Tuisova. For the Kolinisau household, the Flying Fijians match against Georgia tomorrow will be another opportunity to cheer on another rugby-playing family member.
“When Temo scored a try against the Barbarians last year, this whole house erupted into loud cheers despite the match being played in the wee hours of the morning.”
Kolinisau said he expected the same reception from his family for Mayanavanua when the Flying Fijians take to the field against Georgia at BT Murrayfield Stadium, in Edinburgh, Scotland at 12am tomorrow (Sunday). It will be Fiji’s first Test in this Autumn Nations Cup series.