Flying Fijian fullback Ilaisa Droasese had scored the winning goal for the Ba Primary Schools side at the 2012 Fiji Primary School Courts IDC final after beating the Lautoka Schools side 1-0.

Droasese’s coach was his teacher, Timoci Seru, who said it was an achievement to have one of his students rising to international level like Droasese.

“He is a gifted football player who started playing for Ba Sangam Primary School and then AD Patel College,” Seru said.

According to Seru, Droasese also featured in the YCF (Ba FA local League Club competition).

“He was a natural-born athlete and was highly skilled. He had flair, and showed individual brilliance when the team needed one. He is very dedicated and an all-rounder.”

The 24-year-old completed his high school at Cuvu College; it was there that he found his love of playing rugby.

Droasese, a former Queensland Reds winger, had joined the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua squad in April last year.

He was part of the Fiji Schoolboys and Fiji U20s teams in 2018 before moving to Australia to join Brisbane City in the former NRC in 2019 then featured for the Reds in Super Rugby 2021.

Then Fijian Drua chief executive officer, Brian Thorburn said since the Drua was past the halfway mark of its maiden Super Rugby journey and with injuries and workload management well and truly in play, it was great to sign another young Fijian talent.

Thorburn said Droasese’s experience within the Reds strong rugby programme in 2021 was handy.

“We look forward to Droasese challenging for a place in the match-day 23 when he settles in,” Thorburn had said.

Droasese also featured in the Deans competition in 2017 and 2018.

Like his former football mates, Seru was overwhelmed watching Droasese help the Flying Fijians beat Australia 22-15 on Monday.

“Congratulations Team Fiji on the historical win on Monday, nothing’s stopping you all from winning the Webb Ellis Cup. You can do it,” Seru said.

Fiji faces Georgia nexton October 1 at 3:45am (Fiji time).

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