Swire Shipping Fijian Drua backline player Isikeli Rabitu is urging young rugby players to always give their best in everything they do and to also put God first.
In an interview with fijivillage News in the i-Taukei language, Rabitu says he went through a lot of challenges coming up through the ranks and one of them was not having any fare to training most of the time.
He says he had to look around for something to sell, or he would walk to the training venue.
He adds during their training, he would always give his all, even when the trainers or selectors were not watching.
The 18-year-old says he's proud to be selected for the Fijian Drua this season.
Rabitu started his rugby journey at the age of 9 representing Suva Methodist Primary School in the Milo Kaji competition playing in the U9 and U10 grades before completing his Primary School studies at Veiuto Primary School, where he played in the U12 and U13 grades.
He then moved to Suva Grammar School and played in the Fiji Secondary School Deans competition from U14 to U17.
Rabitu then joined the Fiji U20 side that competed in the Oceania Championship in Australia before being selected for the Drua Development program with 12 other players last year.
The young man’s hard work did not go unnoticed by the Fijian Drua officials and he was awarded a full time contract with the senior team for this season.
Rabitu and the Fijian Drua will kick off their 2024 Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific campaign against the Blues on February 24th in Auckland.
