It was a day filled with celebration for the villagers of Waitabu in Taveuni yesterday as they witnessed three of their sons win the Rugby 7s World Cup.
The three players are Iosefo Masi, Jerry Matana and Filipe Sauturaga.
Masi’s father, Atonio Kawakawa, says the sound of the grog being pounded has been heard since yesterday morning, and it continued till the afternoon.
He says the house was fully packed, with children banging on drums whenever Fiji scored a try or when there was a bone-crunching tackle made by a Fijian player.
Kawakawa says it has been his son’s dream to be part of the national side to the World Cup, even though his journey took him to Australia for rugby league.
He adds growing up, Masi never missed any of Fiji’s games and sometimes he had to ask to miss school just to watch Fiji play in the 7s series.
Kawakawa says they have planned for something special when the three players arrive at their village with the Melrose Cup.
The Fiji 7s teams are expected to arrive in the country tomorrow evening.
