The 7s dream
RATUMAITAVUKI RELIES ON DIVINE POWERS
FORMER Fiji 7s squad member Petero Ratumaitavuki is not giving up on his dream.
Ratumaitavuki made headlines following the Coral Coast 7s last month while playing for Nadi club Saunaka, with many calling for his inclusion in the Fiji 7s team.
The speedster along with rover Akuila Momo were in impressive form during the tournament and were thought to have caught the eyes of national selectors.
However, Ratumaitavuki, who was a former winger of the Dominion Brothers, said he is still waiting to be called up.
“They did not approach me after the Coral Coast 7s but it’s all in God’s plan. If it is the will of the man above, then I will be ready to fulfil my calling,” the 24-year-old said.
He was part of the Fiji 7s squad in 2022 but dropped the same year.
“It never dented my spirits; I kept going knowing that I had targets to reach and a family to take care of.
“I left my family back in Kilaka, Kubulau, Bua for four years. I left the place
I was brought up in and moulded as a child to pursue my dreams.
“My family is my biggest motivation because when I left, I was staying with relatives and that life is not easy,” he shared. Ratumaitavuki attended Tavua College and although he passed Year 13, his passion was rugby. “I finished school with a pass in Form 7 but I did not go to tertiary because I just wanted to play rugby. This is my God-given talent and I must make use of it at every opportunity.”
The former Tavua College under-19 rugby league captain remains optimistic that one day soon he will don the national jumper and represent Fiji internationally.
He will be in action for DXC Barbarians at the Fiji Bitter Nahehevia 7s tournament this weekend at Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka.
ONLY eight spots remain in the men’s division of the Fiji Bitter Nahehevia 7s tournament set to kick-off this weekend.
Organisers targeted 32 men’s, 16 Under-21 and eight women’s teams to be part of the tournament.
Tournaments co-ordinator Marika Kurisese said since yesterday only 24 men’s teams have confirmed their places and registration fees fully paid.
The targeted number of teams in the youth and women’s category have been met.
“We will close the registration for men on Tuesday. It was supposed to be closed on Friday, however, some teams have requested to extend it because we understand that some teams are struggling to pay given the tight 7s window.
“Before 7s tournaments were spread out in a year but the Fiji Rugby Union decided to open the 7s window when the Skipper season ended so all 7s tournaments were squeezed from November to March.
“Some teams are struggling to meet the registration fees and other expenses, so we know that it’s not easy for them hence we decided to move the registration date. On Tuesday, we will close it because we must do the draws,” Kurisese stated.
He added that 10 teams have expressed their interest with only those able to pay their registration fees to be considered.
Some top teams expected at the tournament are BLK Lavidi Brothers, DXC Barbarians, Dominion Brothers, Raiwasa
Taveuni, Ratu Filise, Tabadamu and the Fiji Babaas.
Police Blue have withdrawn from the tournament.
The winner of the second Fiji Bitter Nahehevia 7s tournament will take home $8000 in prize money and $4,000 for the runner-up.
In the youth division, the winner gets $2000 and $1500 for the women’s champion.
Matches will begin on Friday. Entry fees for the first day is $5 flat and free for children under-12. Day two will be $10 flat while children U12 are free.