People from four villages in the district of Tawake and more than 10 villages in the District of Saqani in the Cakaudrove Province are all looking forward to the first Bledisloe Cup Test this afternoon as one of their own will be making his debut for the Wallabies.
25-year-old Filipo Daugunu who is from the village of Saqani will start on the wing.
Daugunu's grandfather, Sekaia Daugunu says it was great news when they heard that Filipo will feature for the green and gold because just like any other rugby player from a village, playing international rugby is the ultimate goal.
He says the struggles that Filipo has gone through has made him the person he is today.
Daugunu says Filipo's mother passed away when he was 2-years-old and he is thankful that Filipo was raised by his uncle who has always been supporting him through hard and challenging times.
He says it was a challenge for Filipo to go overseas as he applied three times for an Australian visa and his third try was successful in 2016.
Daugunu says there are three stages for a player to make it to the national team, and for Filipo he started with the Wests Bulldogs in the Queensland Premier Rugby competition where he scored 11 tries from 13 games and also helped the Bulldogs to their first-ever final.
Also in 2017, he was promoted to play for Bond University in the National Rugby Championship where he assisted Bond University to win the title against the Vikings.
He was awarded top try scorer in that competition.
Filipo Daugunu also signed his contract that same year to play for the Queensland Reds in the 2018 Super Rugby season where he made his debut against the Melbourne Rebels in Round 1.
Daugunu highlighted that in 2019, he refused a contract from a prominent club in France worth $2 million as he wanted to fulfil his father's wishes which is to wear the gold and green jersey.
Sekaia Daugunu says one thing that has enabled Filipo to become successful in life is his faith in God which is a testament of the upbringing that he was taught when he was young.
He says most of the people in their village have paid for their Sky Pacific bill so that they can watch Daugunu play today.
The Wallabies will meet the All Blacks in the Bledisloe Cup opener at 3 o’clock this afternoon.
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