For someone who spent his formative years at the Tennis courts, Tevita Ikanivere is now the co-captain of the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua team.
Ikanivere stated this on fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan saying he would mostly spend afternoons picking up the ball for his older brothers, aunt and grandparents who used Tennis to stay fit on Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoons, and when possible get in a game against his grandmother.
Even though he had a slight interest in rugby, it wasn’t until he moved to Queen Victoria School that it blossomed into what it is today.
Ikanivere says when they played the Super 4 Competition amongst the houses in school and in their under 14 team, all the big boys would play props while others wanted to play wing, first five eighth, and fullback.
He says no one wanted to play hooker, and it seems like the right choice just looking at where he is today, which all leads back to that Super 4, under 14 competition at the Nukuvuto grounds.
Ikanivere says he hopes that he can inspire the next generation with his game as this is a gift from God to him, which has brought him so much.
He says the only thing he can do now is go out on the field and do well with the opportunity that he has.
The Drua play the Waratahs at 2.05pm tomorrow at Churchill Park, Lautoka.
In other matches, the Crusaders host the Blues at 7.05 tonight, Moana Pasifika will meet the Brumbies at 4.35pm tomorrow, the Chiefs will take on the Highlanders at 7.05pm tomorrow, and the Force will face the Hurricanes at 9.35pm tomorrow.
