It was an emotional moment for Fiji born Moana Pasifika winger Timoci Tavatavanawai when he met his mother after five years and it was also the first time she saw her son play a professional rugby match in person.
Tavatavanawai left Fiji at the end of 2017 to further his rugby career in New Zealand.
He hadn’t seen his parents since he left and sadly, his father passed away in December.
He could not attend his father's funeral in December last year due to border restrictions.
Management of the Moana Pasifika invited Tavatavanawai’s mother Melania Raikuna to New Zealand to surprise her son before their game with the Brumbies.
