Hey Eto, thanks for making the time to catch up, especially this week.
Congrats to you and your team for making the NRC final. What have you loved most about playing for Country this year?
I love that the boys have a bond when we get together; they like each other. I love playing with the younger boys, and representing the country, you know. I come from a country place too, that's why I like hanging around with the boys and doing the best for my team.
You've got my full support this weekend. I hope lots of Reds fans tune in this Saturday night.
I know your focus is on this Saturdays game. I hope you don't mind talking about your rugby journey, and the Reds...
Did you start playing rugby as a young boy in Fiji?
Yeah of course. When I was a young boy, I played rugby and soccer, but I always preferred rugby. That's why, growing up, I wanted to be a professional rugby player in the future. Mostly I played sevens for the village team, and then I played sevens and fifteens. Coming out here, it's been a great pleasure to have an opportunity here.
Who were some of your favourite players growing up?
When I was in Fiji as a young boy, the Queensland Reds were my best team in the comp. I didn't know that I would represent the Reds at the time. At the time I grew up, Quade Cooper was my best player. I was watching the game in 2011 when they won the Super Rugby final... but yeah, Quade Cooper was my favourite player. Because he'd flick-pass and do dancing around.
So as the story goes, you bumped into two well known League players in Fiji, and they recruited you to join the Penrith Panthers. How did that actually happen?
Actually, I was working in the hotel. At that time, I was at the Intercontinental. I worked there, and played sevens. Worked and played, worked and played. Come to the day that I saw these guys - I didn't know them. I started work at 6:30am, and I met them at around 11:30am. They were doing a clinic at one of the schools in our village, named Malomalo Primary School. They said 'are you a rugby player?' I said 'yeah, I'm a rugby player.' They said 'do you ever play League?' I said 'no I never play League, just rugby'.
From there, the journey started with Brett Fittler and Andrew Johns. They spotted me there, and they told me to go to a clinic at the school. I did some kicks and bombs in the air, and grubbers. I heard that they were the legends from Australia.
From there, they started to call Phil Gough at Penrith, and sent him the video, because they’d made some videos. Phil Gough saw the video and said ‘ok, let’s give him an opportunity to come over.’ So yeah, it was a great opportunity. They paid my fare, and I came over to Australia, to Sydney and I stayed with my manager for three years.
I played Penrith Panthers in the 2nd grade for 2 years, and from there I moved to the Dragons [first grade] for one year. From there I wanted to change back to Union. There were a few club offers, one was from Perth, the Western Force, and one was from the Queensland Reds. I chose the Queensland Reds because it’s way closer to Fiji, and it’s easier for me to travel back and see the family.
That’s when the journey started… I was working in the hotel as a porter, and now I’m in Queensland, playing for the Reds.
What was it like moving from a Fiji to Australia?
Yeah, going from Fiji to Australia was like, kind of different for me. For the first year, I got a little bit homesick. There was a guy Joe, he was calling and texting me and said, mate, there is an opportunity, grab it, and you'll be fine.
It was the first time for me to leave the family, back at home. So coming to Australia, I was so excited. I was lucky to have that opportunity. Now I feel like I’m at home, it’s been four years now.
When you first arrived in Australia, did you think you'd end up playing Rugby Union again?
Yes, of course. I was thinking I'd be back in Union, because back at home it was my favourite.
What do you love most about playing for the Reds?
What I love most is playing with the Reds… back at home it was my best team. Some of the boys I’m playing with at the moment, I’ve been seeing when I was young, back at home. Like I said, back in 2011, Quadey was playing. So over here, what I love the most is that he’s still playing, I like playing with him here. And also, the boys, they are friendly, and we are like a family. They are like brothers to me now. We have fun, that’s what I like most about the Reds.
Thanks Eto for your time, again, it's appreciated!
Ah thank you so much Tom for asking questions. I love you, and I love you being at all the games. I see you as like my brother. Thanks so much Tom for your questions, I appreciate it too.
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NRC Final is this Saturday Night - 6:30pm (QLD time)
This Saturday at 6:30pm, the Queensland Country boys will be playing against the Vikings, in Canberra for the NRC Final. If you're a Reds fan, make sure you tune in. (It's only on Fox, so if you don't have Fox at home, make sure you get down to your local pub and ask them to play it.) The NRC has been great this year. Bring it home boys!
