Sauvoli Clinches Super Rugby Mode
Burly Timoci Sauvoli has come a long away to be where he is today: being part of the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua squad for Super Rugby Pacific.
He is from Daviqele, Nabukelevu, Kadavu, and has maternal links to Rakiraki, Yale, in Kadavu.
“After Year 11 at Richmond High School in Kadavu, I asked my father to attend a school in Viti Levu, so that I can play in the Deans Rugby competition,” Sauvoli said.
“That was way back in 2009. I attended Sila Secondary the following year. I had a relative living at Nadroumai in Nadroga. That was my passport to playing rugby,” he said.
“It was a red zone for me as they were my “tauvu”. From my relative’s house, I moved to Esala Nauga’s house. That was Garden of Eden: the beginning of reality. I played for Tovolea, the village team.
Prop Sauvoli, 30, then moved to Nayawa Village, where he featured for the Police RC. He joined Fiji Police Force in 2016, and got recruited in 2019.
He made his debut for the Nadroga Rugby team in 2014. He only missed the 2016 season because he moved to New Zealand to play for the Northern Sharks in the Northland Rugby Competition.
“Rugby has taken me to some places that I never thought I’d reach,” he said.
“Being part of the Super Rugby has helped me understand the game at another level.
“The pace is fast and the finishing part is very high compared to the Skipper Cup.
“Super Rugby Pacific is an opening every Fijian should be gunning for now. When a chance like this is given to you, grab it with both hands.
“God answers prayers. For me, Daviqele is about 127 kilometres from Nadroga, but I was determined that regardless of what came my way, I always made sure I worked hard.
“There has been some offers; I just need to familiarise myself in the Super Rugby environment, this is a good platform for more exposure under good leadership and management.”
Of the 13 Fijian Drua matches played so far, Sauvoli is likely to play his seventh Super Rugby match this Saturday. The Fijian Drua take on Chiefs at 3pm at Churchill Park, Lautoka.
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