Facing the daily struggles at home and watching his rugby idols play on television inspired Ilaisa Droasese to give him and his family a better life.

Now the 21-year old is the latest inclusion in Brad Thorn’s Queensland Reds team in Super Rugby AU.

The exciting utility backline player lives the dream and is rubbing shoulders with his idol James O’Connor, Jordan Petaia and fellow Fijians Suliasi Vunivalu, Filipo Daugunu, Moses Sorovi and Serupepeli Uru.

The Togovere, Nadroga native told SUNsports from Brisbane yesterday that from playing touch rugby in a local park in Tauvegavega, Ba he never dreamt to end up playing or training with his idols at Suncorp Stadium in Queensland, Australia.

“I never dreamt of playing in the Super Rugby or a team such as the Queensland Reds because France has always been the destination for players back home,” he said

“It’s a big thing for me to be playing with these Wallabies especially O’Connor.”

“Growing up I only watched him and Vunivalu on television and the next day me and my neighborhood friends would go play touch rugby where we try to imitate them.

“Now this is unreal because I get to do nearly everything with them. It is good that I’m learning a lot of new things from them.

“To be training beside O’Connor is something special and he has been helping me so much in the backline.

“Sometimes during training I would just smile to myself when I remember the days me and my friends would play touch rugby in the park in Ba with so much fun and laughter and forming that special bond.

“With those little skills from the park I find myself with some of the greatest players on earth.”

While at school in AD Patel College in Ba Droasese had to join Cuvu College in 2017 to chase his dreams.

“I remember all the struggles that we faced at home when I used to help my dad cut grass in Tauvegavega and Namosau in Ba.

“The only way forward was to go to Nadroga and join Cuvu College so I can make it where I am today.

“Sitting down one afternoon I realised that I had the talent and the potential to help my family.

“I knew that my rugby talent will help me and my family.

“Being the only boy in the family dominated by my three sisters I had to make the move.

“When my family heard about my move and making the team they were very happy and showed their support.

Goals

“Now I’m part of the Reds set up where I will slowly learn and adapt to the system of how the Wallabies do things.

“Nothing is impossible, I have been training with quite a few of the Wallabies players.

“First things first I have to concentrate on my game and try to improve it.

“My aim now is to make the Wallabies team if given an opportunity.”

Journey

“I thanked God for always making a way for me.

“In 2017 and 2018 I joined Cuvu where I played in the Deans Trophy competition and started to excel then I got selected in the Fiji Schoolboys.

“In 2019 I played in the U20 Junior World Cup Argentina.

Training Environment 

“Thorn is a great coach and always advises me how important to do the basics right to a team like the Reds.

“I want to thank the Queensland Reds coaching staff and the team for believing in me and giving me this opportunity to play for them.

“They play more structured rugby to our traditional free flowing style.

“The training environment is very professional and the game is fast paced.”

The Reds will host the NSW Waratahs at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane on February 19.

Edited by Osea Bola

Feedback: simione.haravanua@fijisun.com.fj