From Prop to Pastor: A Conversation with Former Red Peni Volavola

As we edge closer to the Super Rugby Season, I was fortunate to be able to catch up with former Queensland Red and Fijian international Peni Volavola at a local cafe. During our interview, he shared about his rugby experiences as well as advice for players and former players. We had an awesome time together and I hope you enjoy reading our conversation as much as much as I enjoyed having it!

Hey Peni, thanks for taking time to catch up.

Thank you!

I love catching up with Reds players, past and present. Rugby has changed a lot of over the years. What are some of the most obvious changes to you?

One of the obvious changes is it’s really professional now. During our era, we were still “amateurs”. The younger players now are more professional in their approach, with the big money involved. Diet is also one thing, they have to see that they eat the right food, because their dietician will be there to check that they’re doing the right thing. Where as we would always go to “Big Maccers” (laughs). So food plays a big part in the professional era of rugby.

Another thing is the players are more disciplined now, because of things like sponsorship. The sponsors don’t want to support a team that’s second best. They want to put their money on a team that wins all the time. They want their culture to be a winning culture.

What’s your favourite memory, from playing at Ballymore?

Tom, I didn’t play many times for the Reds, I think I only played about four or five games with Queensland. I played quite a bit for Queensland B. But my best memory was beating Canterbury, from New Zealand. I was on the bench and I replaced - I think it was Matt Ryan, but that was a good experience. All the teams from New Zealand are all good teams… they love their rugby, they’re all hard rugby players… the Canterbury forwards were all playing for the All Blacks, so that was a good experience.

What else did you love most about your time with the Reds?

I really loved my time with the Reds, especially playing alongside great players. Players like Dan Crowley, David Nucifora, Matt Ryan (the prop), Bill Campbell, I was fortunate to go with him on my first tour for Queensland in 1990… Rod McCall, John Eels… We were new players on that tour, with John Eels. We went to England, where we played Northampton, on our way to France for the World Provincial Championship. Also, I was fortunate to play with Sam Scott-Young and Geoff Miller, David Wilson, and the backline was Peter Slattery and Michael Lynagh and you know Time Horan and Jason Little… Paul Carozza Mark Conners and Greg Martin - the teams fullback.

Do you find yourself at Ballymore much these days?

Yes, now and then I go and watch games there. I still love going there - it’s the traditional ground for the Queensland Reds.

You have played 11 games for Fiji. Can you remember the experience of what it’s like playing for your country?

Yes, thank you Tom. I first played for Fiji in 1985, that was my first ever tour, to Wales and Ireland! I played in the second test, against Wales.

I was also fortunate to represent Fiji at the first ever World Cup, in 1987. Fiji reached the quarter final. And also, I played at the second World Cup, in 1991. I really enjoyed my few years, representing my country. And man - going to the two world cups - I will never forget that!

That leads me straight to my next question! What was your favourite memory from playing in the World Cup events?

Favourite memories… 1987 was a difficult year because just before we went to the World Cup, Fiji had its first coup! So it was a difficult year. But we did our best to put aside what was happening back home and concentrate on playing rugby. I can say that because of our love for rugby, we put aside everything, enjoyed everything, and we made the quarter final.

Rugby completely changed people’s perspectives of what was happening back home. They heard us on the radio, and fortunately we got as far as we did and came 5th on the ladder.

Beating Argentina would be a favourite memory! There were four teams in the pool - we were in the same pool as New Zealand, Argentina and Italy. We beat Argentina, making us second in the pool. That’s why we were able to reach the quarter final.

What are some of the things you’ve done in your life, since you retired from rugby?

Since retiring from rugby, I went to Bible School and now I am a minister, or a pastor. I was working to support my family and studying for 6 years part-time… And after that, I looked after a church called Faith City Church for 15 years until last last year and now we are with Majestic Church. 

What advice would you give to younger players that are wanting to play rugby professionally?

Yeah - I’d say if you want to play professionally, if you are given a chance to play rugby, you should grab it with two hands. You have to look after yourself, because your rugby career, it’s short, without injuries, maybe 10-15 years, so you have to be disciplined with your body, with your training, and also with eating the right food as I said before. Also, it is good to be in a winning culture.

There’s two things that I can say - you can be an asset or a liability. The Queensland Reds want to see a player and say: “This guy: he’s a good player, he listens, he trains well, and he plays well, because he disciplined himself…” that is an asset.

But a liability… if you don’t listen to the coach, you don’t look after yourself, you’re always coming late to train, those things will make you a liability.

For example, Queensland Rugby, they’ll look at you and say “are you an asset, or are you a liability?” If you’re an asset, they’ll look after you. You’ll play better, and you’ll bring sponsors to come and support.

Whenever I talk to young rugby players, that what I talk to them about. Are you an asset or a liability.

If you are a liability, the coach and the manager will say “mate, thank you very much for your time, we don’t need you anymore.” But if you are an asset… they’ll renew your contract before it finishes. They’ll say “we would like Taniela Tupou to stay…” because he’s an asset. Samu Kerevi is an asset.

So remember those two words. Asset, or liability.

What advice would you give today’s professional rugby players, regarding life after rugby?

Life after rugby. Yes, that’s very important Tom. Most players now not only play rugby but are doing other courses also. Some are studying at uni… you can blend those two together, while you’re playing professional rugby. Because after professional rugby, there is a career for you. Your rugby career is short… without injury, it might be 10, 12 or 15 years. That’s why it’s important that you do something outside of rugby, study business courses… John Eels is a big businessman, Jason Little and Tim Horan too… Michael Lynagh has his own business, David Nucifora and the other players that I played with and the players I played against, they’re doing great things now in society, after rugby.

This is something I’ve started asking the players… back in the day, what was your favourite post-game meal?

(Laughs) Tom, I can say that I was also disciplined with food. I always love a nice, juicy steak, potatos, salad and a few chips (laughs).

Thanks a lot for coming and catching up. As I like to say, once a Red, always a Red!

Thank you Tom. It’s an honour to come and meet you. And that’s true, once a Red always a Red! I believe that 2023 will be the year of the Reds. They will do better this year - with us supporting!

The Reds Super Rugby season kicks off on Saturday February 25th against the Hurricanes in Townsville!