While many fans were disappointed after our Vodafone Flying Fijians were thumped 58-15 by England yesterday, it was a moment to cherish for the family of the late Savenaca Koroibulileka.

Koroibulileka was a 38-year-old British army soldier, originally from Naqeledamu, Tailevu, who was killed in a rugby match on September 24.

His sons, Inoke 13, Viliame 8, and Orisi 7, were invited by the Rugby Football Union to be the mascots for the Flying Fijians at a sold- out Twickenham Stadium yesterday.

A fourth son Kelepi, 4, watched the game from the grandstand with his mother, Ilivema. Their grandmother Viola Koroibulileka could not hold her emotions seeing her three grandsons walking into the pitch in Flying Fijians jersey and singing the national anthem in front of a huge Twickenham crowd.

“I’m so humbled,” Viola Koroibulileka said from Naqeledamu.

“It was a special moment seeing my three grandsons coming out with the Flying Fijians.”

Koroibulileka collapsed while playing for Oakham Rugby Football Club against West Bridgford at Rutland Showground.

Viola returned from England a week ago where she attended Savenaca’s funeral.

“When I saw the patriotic act of my grandchildren placing their hands on their chest during the national anthem, made me so proud of them.

“After the death of my husband in 2005, the least I expect was to lose my only son. But my grandsons are now the pride of my life.”