Only God knows what my parents went through, says new Crusader

Akanisi Voavoa is a proud Mum and is grateful to have a son like Poasa Waqanibau who is likely to make his debut for the Crusaders this season when Super Rugby kicks off this weekend.

And the toil and hard work through the years like selling puddings to buy Waqanibau’s rugby boots is paying dividend for the Dreketi, Qamea, woman.

Waqanibau played for the Crusaders during the Brisbane 10s two weeks ago and was named on Thursday to be a member of the Crusaders Knights to play the Highlanders Bravehearts on Saturday before the BNZ Crusaders face the Brumbies at AMI Stadium.

Waqanibau, 22, is originally of Vunisinu, Dreketi, Rewa but grew up in Kuku, Bau Tailevu.

“I am proud of my son I knew he had the talent when he joined Ratu Kadavulevu School,”Voavoa said.

“I told him to trust God if he wants to be a successful rugby player.

“I’m proud of Poasa because he listens and very humble and I am happy to call him my son.

“My husband Jone Waqanibau, who died before Christmas last year, was the breadwinner of the family and I helped him out by selling puddings just to get enough money for Poasa’s bus fare to go and train when he was a Fiji squad member to the Junior World Championship in 2014.

“The rugby boots are expensive but we still managed to buy him one.

“We had to go through a lot to help him achieve his dreams and I thank God for everything he has done for me and my family.”

Voavoa said Poasa wanted  to attend his father’s funeral and she was grateful to the Crusaders management for allowing him.

Waqanibau, who is the second eldest of four siblings, wished his father was still alive to watch him play for the Crusaders.

“I always wanted to play rugby overseas because I love rugby like all Fijians,”he said from Christchurch yesterday.

“My family and I had to go through a lot of struggles. There were times we didn’t have money but by the grace of God, he kept us alive.

“My mum had to make pudding and sell it so that we can survive and the money my father earned was only enough to buy food for us and that motivated me.

“Only God knows how my parents struggled and I wish my father was alive to see where I am today.

“But I thank God for my mum, my family and especially to the most beautiful person who stood by side through my hard times, my girlfriend Vani Domonatani. It’s hard to be far away from the people you love but wherever you are, they will always be in your heart.”

Vodafone Flying Fijians head coach John McKee is interested in including Waqanibau in the squad preparing for the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

Waqanibau said: “I will think about it but the focus now is to impress the coaching staff and play for the Crusaders.”

Edited by Osea Bola

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