Newly signed Swire Shipping Fijian Drua utility back Waqa Nalaga has set his goal of becoming a much better player than his father and brother who were household names in Fiji.
Nalaga is the son of former Flying Fijians winger Kavekini Nalaga and is the younger brother of Napolioni Nalaga who also represented the Flying Fijians.
During an interview with fijivillage News, Waqa says whenever he runs out to play, he always has that mentality of trying to be better than his dad and brother.
He jokingly said that they would hate him for mentioning that but he still sees them as a huge motivation in his rugby career.
The Nasama, Nadroga man says he had a really tough start to his rugby journey, especially growing up in the village and then moving overseas for his scholarship.
He adds at first it was hard but he later got himself used to the new environment and adapted to it.
The 20-year-old was part of the Fiji under-20 side at the World Rugby U20 Championship in South Africa this year.
Waqa says being part of the Fijian Drua has been a great experience so far for him and he has set his goal of playing more Super Rugby Pacific games next season.
Waqa started his rugby career when he was 13 years old and got a scholarship to play in New Zealand at the age of 16 years old.
He attended Wanganui College before he was signed up by the Manawatu Turbos in the Mitre 10 Cup competition in New Zealand.
He later was drafted into the Hurricanes’ extended squad before the Drua approached him for his signature for the upcoming season.
Waqa and the Drua will begin their 2024 Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific campaign against the Blues on the 24th of February in Auckland.
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