Despite Australia failing to win the Rugby World Cup after losing 34-17 to New Zealand in the final, Wallabies centre Tevita Kuridrani has made Fiji as well as Australia proud.
The 24-year-old can be happy with his performance throughout the World Cup and will no doubt have a lot to take back from it. The 102kg, six- feet Namatakula, Nadroga native has been a spectacle to watch just like his fellow villagers Lote Tuqiri and Nemani Nadolo,
Kuridrani proved to be a game changer for the Wallabies after they lagged behind 16-3 at halfttime with Bernard Foley putting the first points up on the scoreboard against New Zealand.
But it was a different story in the second half as the Wallabies came back stronger with David Pocock scoring the first try, and Kuridrani closing the 11 point gap to four (21-17) with his crucial try.
Kuridrani’s try marked his third in the World Rugby Cup; his first was against Uruguay in their 65-3 thrashing during pool play.
Wallabies coach Michael Cheika included him again in their quarterfinal game against Scotland where Kuridrani did not fail to impress, yet again proving he can deliver during crucial moments.
Tied 24-24, Kuridrani’s try in the 64th minute extended Australia’s lead enough to have Bernard Foley finish the job with his boots edging Scotland in a close 35-34 victory to proceed to the semifinals.
Kuridrani has come a long way since playing rugby at Vatuwaqa Primary School and making it up the ladder from school to the University of Queensland Rugby Club in 2009 to the Fiji U20 team who took part in the 2010 IRB Junior World Championship in Argentina.
He made his breakthrough playing for Australia starting out with the 7s team in the 2010-11 Sevens World Series before making his debut for Super Rugby team, Brumbies in 2012 and finally making it into the national 15s team.
Hard work and raw talent has paid off which not only his Aussie teammates can be proud off but also his family back home who never misses a chance to watch him play.
With the World Cup now at an end, Kuridrani’s plans to host a feast to welcome back the K-train later this month.