Earlier today, I had an awesome conversation with one of my favourite players, Seru Uru. Since moving from Melbourne to Brisbane in 2019, he hit his stride playing for Easts and Brisbane City in the NRC, before earning his Reds contract ahead of the 2020 Super Rugby season.
With a work ethic like his, I have a feeling that Seru is only going to get better in the coming years. I'm glad he brought his talents to the Reds and that he calls Brisbane home!!!
Hey Seru, thank you for taking the time to come and chat today. How much are you looking forward to the Reds first game against the Moana Pasifika?
Yeah, I’m really looking forward to it! It will be a tough I would say and a good game aswell.. It’ll be our last game here in Brisbane, I’m really looking forward to it. I’ve been watching them play over the last few weeks and they have been playing really good. They’re big boys, some big hits and some good ball carriers, so I’m really looking forward to it.
What are some key things the Reds are working on at the moment?
The key things that the Reds are working on is our decision making around the park, our inside defence, always protecting the inside shoulder. Attack wise, our set plays around the park and our north coast has been better over the last few weeks that we have been playing, we’ve been improving because there have been a few games that when we come to the north coast we give away the ball easily, so we’ve been working hard on that. On the past few games you would have seen we’ve come up with a few tries. the boys are controlling and getting away with points which is good. A few other things would be our kick off chase, adding pressure on the kick off. That’s what the boys have been working at really hard.
What do you love the most about playing for the Reds?
One thing I love the most about the Reds is the boys! They’re just a good bunch of blokes, everyone gets along with each other easily. On and off the field, everyone is tight. You can see on the field where everyone is working for each other, if there is a problem, everyone will come and pick you up and boost you up, that’s one thing I really love at the Reds. It’s just the boys.
What’s been your rugby journey so far, and how did you end up playing in Queensland?
Yeah my rugby journey so far… I finished school back in 2016 in Fiji. I played in 20s for Fiji for 3 years, I was still in school in 2015 and I joined the Fiji 20s in 2016 and then 2017 I moved to Australia Melbourne. I came and joined a team called a team called Island Breeze”, it’s at “Youth with a Mission”. That brought me over here to Australia. That’s when I started with Box Hill, down in Melbourne and started my career there. I did a few training sessions with the Melbourne Rebels just to get a feel for what it is like to play at the top level, it was really good, it gave me a boost. I kept it in my mind and thought yes I wanted play super rugby. I stayed in Melbourne 2017, I was apart of the NRC Melbourne Rebels squad and then in 2018 I moved clubs, I moved to Power House, but I didn’t get picked for the NRC squad.
Then there was an agent who gave me a call here and told me to start again here. I joined Easts straight away, my first season there was at 2019 and from there everything just happened. I had a good season with Easts and got picked for the NRC and after 3 games I got signed to the Reds
I was so pumped and so emotional at the same time, I couldn’t believe it - that things happened like that in one year. Moving from Melbourne to here I thought it would take a bit longer, but everything just happened. I was so happy about it. And now, everything is just falling into place, I’m getting more game time, I’m getting more mature in the game, I’m learning heaps of things every day
Especially playing alongside all of the boys here that I used to watch on the TV at home and playing the other teams around Australia and in New Zealand, it’s a good experience.
What do you miss most about being away from Fiji?
The thing I miss the most is family. I really miss my family. I moved here by myself, left everyone there. It’s pretty hard because last time I went home was 2019, because of covid. But hopefully I’ll go back this year or next year, we’ll see how it goes. And the other thing is food (laughs). I miss the food back home.
I’m really glad you’ve made it to Queensland and that you’re in our team.
I’m really happy I joined the Queensland Reds. There’s no other club like this one. I really enjoy it here and being here in Brisbane. The weather just reminds me of being back home. When I go around, I hardly know everyone, but they’ll come up to you like “hey Seru”. (Laughs.)
What would be a few tips that you would give to young, up and coming back row flankers?
Feedback I would say to the kids growing up is always listen to your Mum and Dad, keep working hard and never give up. There’s heaps of opportunities around here. If you don’t get a crack on the first one, don’t give up. Because for me to get here, I’ve been through a lot (laughs). I’ve struggled to get here. But never give up, always keep pushing yourself. Don’t fall into the wrong crowd. It’s good to have friends, but just choose the good friends you have. But yeah, always keep pushing yourself and listen to your parents.
If you weren’t playing rugby, what would you be doing?
When I was in school I was doing automotive engineering and then after school, I just focused on rugby. But if it wasn’t rugby, I would have been doing that. Or, before I moved here to Australia, I was recruited to be a prison officer. I went to an interview, and I got the job. Then I had to choose that job, or coming to Australia, and I chose to come here.
What are your current goals, inside and outside of rugby?
My current goal in rugby is to don the Wallabies jersey, that’s a goal and a dream. Outside of rugby, I just want to do some more studies for life after rugby. I want to settle here in Brisbane after rugby.
Last question - favourite post-game snack?
(Laughs.) Favourite post-game snack… the snakes. The lollies-snakes. Heaps of sugar, it gives you that boost (laughs).
Thats Seru for taking time out to chat!
Thank you very much for having me!
The Reds play the Moana Pacifika, home at Suncorp Stadium, this Friday!!!!!!! It's the final home game of the season, so make sure you come along!!!!! I can't wait....
No comments:
Post a Comment