Ratu Filipe Sauturaga’s selection to Captain the Fiji Airways Men’s National 7s side to the upcoming HSBC Perth 7s tournament comes as no surprise to the head of the Yavusa Naleya, in the village of Wainimakutu, Namosi, Ratu Alipate Ratini.
Ratu Alipate says during Christmas last year, Sauturaga visited Ratini at his place and he advised Sauturaga to remain humble and listen to the coaches, emphasizing that this would take him far in his rugby career.
Ratu Alipate adds that when he heard the news on the radio about Sauturaga being selected to captain the Fiji Men’s 7s, he was not surprised.
He says Sauturaga had always been someone who respected his elders while growing up in the village and adds that Sauturaga consistently demonstrates his chiefly upbringing through his behaviour.
The Yavusa Head of Naleya also highlighted that Sauturaga was raised alone by his father with the Vanua playing a significant role in his upbringing.
He says the Vanua of Namosi is sending their best wishes to Sauturaga and the team for this weekend’s tournament and has urged them to play their hearts out as they are not only representing their families but their Vanua and most importantly, the people of Fiji. The Fiji Men’s 7s will take on Uruguay at 3.22pm Friday in their first pool match, they then face Kenya at 7.59pm Friday before playing New Zealand at 4.22pm Saturday in their final pool match.
The Men’s Cup quarter finals will kick off at 9.27pm Saturday, the semi finals will be at 7.05pm Sunday and the cup final will kick off at 11.35pm.
