Atalifo: I Never Lose Hope
Fiji Airways Flying Fijians tight-head prop Leeroy Atalifo was disappointed when he was dropped from the 31-member squad.
However, the England-based prop was delighted to depart yesterday for the Rugby World Cup with the John McKee- coached side.
The 31-year-old, will be playing in his second Rugby World Cup, replacing the injured Kalivati Tawake.
“I feel happy now to be part of the team and follow my dream,” he said.
“I felt down in the beginning but that’s part of the game. You don’t have to lose hope.”
The Rotuma native was recalled on Wednesday after Yasawa native Tawake was ruled out for five weeks after he failed to respond to his knee treatment.
A big crowd turned up at Nadi International Airport to farewell the team.
The Flying Fijians will be camping in Akita for two weeks before the World Cup opener on September 21 against Australia.
Edited by Leone Cabenatabua
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