Wanting to be the first woman from her village to play professional rugby was something that motivated Vodafone Fijiana XVs outside centre Josivini Neihamu to take up the sport of rugby.
Originally from Vagadra village in Nadroga, Neihamu started playing rugby in 2022 when she joined the Marist Seahawks 7s side before going on to join the Namosi Women’s Rugby side.
The 21-year-old was part of the Rooster Chicken Fijian Drua Women’s side that reached the Super Rugby W semi finals this season and is now been called into the Fijiana XVs side that is preparing to take on the Wallaroos this Saturday.
During an interview with fijivillage News, Neihamu says ever since she started playing rugby, she has always been receiving support from her family, especially rugby advice from her brother, Jone Naikabula, who is the Japan 7s national rep.
She says she wants to make the most of this opportunity especially if she’s given the opportunity to play for the Fijiana XVs in front of the home fans this weekend.
She adds she has been through a lot of challenges in her rugby career, especially injuries, but that did not deter her spirits as she kept pushing to reach greater heights.
Neihamu shared how devastated she was when she suffered an injury during the Super Rugby W competition this year that ruled her out of the semi finals, but she used that as another motivation to try and earn a spot in the Fijiana XVs squad which finally paid off.
As the Fijiana XVs side looks forward to taking on the Wallaroos, Neihamu is calling on the supporters to come out in numbers to support the team.
The Fijiana XVs will take on the Wallaroos at 5pm this Saturday at the HFC Bank Stadium, following the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua’s match against the Reds at 2.05pm at the same venue.
