Fijian Superstar Waisea Nayacalevu drops verdict on Fiji to win the Rugby World Cup’

Adro is a sleepy Fijian town nestled in the southern shore vegetation of the main island. The Pacific Ocean is reached via the Navua River as it meanders eastward. To the south, men dive and spearfish to provide for their families while waves lap at the shore. To the north is the busy Queens Road that circles the island; beyond it are the peaks of Viti Levu’s inner mountains that rise into the sky.

In the most recent census, there were about 200 people living in Sadro. Nevertheless, the area had the same vibrancy as the mall on the day of the coronation when Waisea Nayacalevu arrived home from the Rugby World Cup. Three major foundations of Fijian society are rugby, community, and faith. So you can imagine the raucous celebrations when a local boy captains the national team on the biggest platform of all.

Kids chanted in the streets, singing along with the automobile that was bringing their hero as it rolled down the block. The female singers sang. The males gave a cheer. There was dining, dancing, and music.

a kava session, of course. It appeared as though the Lord had arrived in person.

For them, Nayacalevu’s heart beats. The people lovingly refer to him as “gone ni Nasareci,” or “child of Nazareth,” because he is the first man from Sadro to represent his nation in sports. Even today, as he sits on the Cote d’Azur with the opulent Toulon training camp and more than a dozen years of lucrative professional contracts behind him, they have been his “why” for the longest time.
To get ready for the competition, Raiwalui took Fiji back to their cultural roots. On the third-largest island in Fiji, Taveuni, players slept on the floor of a municipal hall. They lost themselves in the people, the setting, and the treasured memories they represented. The result was a cohesive, hardworking, and well-organized team. With those attributes and a “play-like-Fijians” mentality at its core, a Fijian team is truly amazing.

“My career’s high point was that World Cup campaign,” Nayacalevu claims. “To be really honest, there have been a lot of player differences in the ten years that I have been with the Fijian squad. Sometimes, people follow their own path. They don’t truly connect with one another. Our team, whether young and elderly, was together throughout the previous World Cup.

“We brought about a culture shift, emphasizing consistency, diligence, self-control, and integrity. We came to Taveuni with the perspective that we are here for a reason. It reminded me of my early years spent sleeping on the ground in the hamlet. Going back and reestablishing a connection was very great, and it humbled me in a way that only I could comprehend as I grew up in the village. For the inhabitants of Taveuni, having the national team return and set up camp in their community is a dream come true. It definitely got us going. We arrived with the intention of winning the World Cup.

Even now, I still don’t understand since I would surely move away if my son died. “I’ll be okay, I know he has gone to a better place—my heart is okay,” he said to me.

It’s an enticing idea. yet not over the top. Think about the athletes Raiwalui brought to France. A gold-laden backline that included Semi Radradra, Josua Tuisova, and Nayacalevu himself; titans of the back row in Bill Mata and Albert Tuisue; Levani Botia, the demolition guy from La Rochelle, reducing men to rubble; and Sam Matavesi and Saracen Eroni Mawi of Northampton leading the scrum. They have a developing fly-half in Caleb Muntz, who was injured at a most inconvenient time and missed the World Cup, who can run the show and score goals.

Many will retire prior to the next major international event in 2027, but the islands already offer tempting sustainability. The Fijian Drua are dominating Super Rugby, putting on games in front of wild spectators in Suva and Lautoka, and supplying the national team with an abundance of players. Kids no longer have to travel far to pursue chances when professional rugby is right outside their door. Raiwalui developed a long-term plan for the Fijian game as well as a high-performance base in the capital. Mick Byrne, the current coach of the Drua, will take over as head coach shortly. Fiji may not have the financial resources of the European powerhouses, but they may possess the greatest skill in the entire sport.

Nayacalevu continues, “We want to show the next generation that nothing is impossible.” You can accomplish anything if you are dedicated, persistent, and focused. If we calculate those things correctly and have a strong team culture to lead that, I think we can win the World Cup.

A campaign rooted in profound emotional significance was tainted by horrible grief as well. The powerful center partner of Nayacalevu, Tuisova, learned midway through the pool stage that his seven-year-old son had passed away following a protracted illness. Tuisova made the decision to remain with his brothers and finish the World Cup in the face of this incomprehensible loss.

Nayacalevu claims, “We gave him all the freedom and help to go back to Fiji.” The fact that the man decided to stick with the team fascinates me so much. It demonstrated his character. He wanted to offer the team everything he had since he has a large heart. Even now, I still don’t understand since I would surely move away if my son died. “I’ll be okay, I know he has gone to a better place—my heart is okay,” he said to me. That made me feel something. He’s a really nice friend.

Nayacalevu’s parents separated when he was ten years old, and the children were transferred to live with their grandparents in Sadro. He is the oldest of five siblings, three of whom have participated in elite rugby.

 

“They were unemployed,” recalls Nayacalevu. “I learned a lot from my grandfather, including the importance of going out and working hard every day to find something to sell and put food on the table. We also shared anything we owned.

 

“I would search the markets for coconuts to sell in order to raise money for food.” My grandfather taught me that you had to work for your breakfast every morning and that you must perspire before putting anything in your mouth.

 

There have been many player changes in the ten years that I have been a member of the Fijian squad. Sometimes, people follow their own path. They don’t truly connect with one another.

 

“I learned a lot of discipline, manhood, and other things from him. I attempted to help my siblings and make them smile after Dad taught me how to take care of my family. He passed away almost ten years ago. If he were still here, I would bring him to France to experience my way of life.

 

Even after all these years, Nayacalevu still remembers these things. He moved to France in 2012. He spent ten years with Stade Francais, where he won a Challenge Cup and a Top 14 title. He then spent two more seasons at Toulon, where he won another European championship. At 34, he will fill a void left by Manu Tuilagi in the Sale backline come summertime.

A youthful Nayacalevu would have been completely taken aback if he had been informed about this impressive resume. When he sat down in London to work up his first deal with Stade, he was a pup on the HSBC SVNS circuit and didn’t really know what he was getting into.

He laughs, “I only knew about France from the news or television; I had no idea where it was.” “I knew nothing about the language of France. I watched recordings of some of the legends that played in France, including Vilimoni Delasau and Rupeni Caucau, but I never would have imagined that I would be there.

“My first thoughts upon arriving in Paris were, ‘Wow! It was similar to receiving chocolates for the first time. I was homesick during those difficult first several months, but I kept telling myself that I would succeed, that I would persevere, that I would study, and that I would get through this.

“A few years later, I had tears in my eyes when I stood in the Top 14 final. Playing with legendary players like Sergio Parisse and Morne Steyn—people I saw on TV and am now sharing the stage with.”

Nayacalevu is now a member of the same pantheon. He is still among the best centers in rugby as he approaches the end of his career. against the course of the previous year, Nayacalevu led Simon Raiwalui’s incredible Fijians to their first victory against England in front of a mixed-bag Twickenham crowd; their first victory over Australia in 69 years; and their second World Cup quarterfinal berth since 2007.

In the final eight, they almost came roaring back to sink England once more.

Nayacalevu will never again grace the World Cup stage. He is aware that he could travel to Australia in three years, that his physique is still flexible and captivating, but he also believes that the Drua boys who are making history in their own country should be given the opportunity.

 

“I want to give it my all and go for two more years.” I want to provide that opportunity to the next generation, but I can live another four years, no problem. It’s perhaps time for them to own up to their mistakes. That is the rugby cycle. It is their opportunity to illuminate the world with their light.

Retirement will not lessen his impact on Fiji. In addition to looking into coaching and real estate investing, he aspires to guide his fellow countrymen through the challenging waters of professional rugby. Pasifika athletes are frequently under pressure to support large families and villages. There’s a track record of unscrupulous brokers, inadequate financial guidance, and inadequate post-rugby support. When careers end and the well runs dry, far too many people—some of them big names in the industry—are left penniless.

According to Nayacalevu, “most Fijians are so shy to talk, to learn, and to do things.” “I have a plan in my head and I have learned a lot over the years.” I believe that previous generations were not adequately taught to prepare them for life beyond rugby. Individuals have tunnel vision and are ill-informed, unwilling to learn new things. For me, it’s different since I planned my life in advance, learnt things along the road, and saw things unrelated to rugby.

Consulting with the next generation regarding matters of professionalism, nutrition, and future planning is something I wish to impart to them.

I could have easily signed with another French team, but instead I told myself that I wanted to go and find out more, to compare the two teams in terms of experience and rugby.

This is all quite distant in the future. Nayacalevu will bring his addictive flare to Manchester United the next season. He has more to offer on the pitch. Despite Tuilagi’s status, his severe injury history, and Nayacalevu’s lineage suggest that, absurd as it may seem, the Fijian could really be an improvement.

Having spent the last thirteen years in France, I wanted to explore English rugby. I’m appreciative of the Sharks for providing me with that chance. I could have easily signed with another French team, but instead I told myself that I wanted to go and find out more, to compare the two teams in terms of experience and rugby. To make the most of it, I’m eager to learn and develop, which is why I’m so excited. I also wish to share my experience with others.

He is constantly thinking about home. He continues to donate liberally to the Sadro community, which raised him. In addition to building four-bedroom homes and giving each of his parents a car, he has also purchased rugby balls and equipment for his former school, meals for all of his elderly neighbors, and new chairs for the local church. To witness Fiji face Georgia in their penultimate pool match, he took his father Waisale on a plane trip to France. Waisale’s son made a fantastic try on his birthday.

“[My upbringing] shaped who I am now.” I learned about morals, life, and how to support your family and yourself in whatever way. I am grateful for everything I have because I have worked hard for it all. I now have a humble and sage mindset thanks to the experience. That is something I will always carry with me and use wherever I go.

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