Former Flying Fijian Winger Ratu Amenatave Passes Away at 76
Ratu Amenatave made his Test debut for Fiji against Tonga in Nukua'lofa on July 8, 1967.
Monday 08 January 2024 | 02:40
The country's rugby fraternity mourns the death of former Flying Fijians star winger Ratu Amenatave Gutugutuwai.
He was 76 years old when he died at Mt Gravatt in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, last Wednesday.
Speaking to SUNsports, daughter Tish Gutugutuwai Byram, said her late father was born on March 29, 1947 in Nokoronawa, Nakasaleka, Kadavu.
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Ratu Amenatave made his Test debut for Fiji against Tonga in Nukua'lofa on July 8, 1967.
In 1968, he played in the Test match against Wales; he also represented the Fiji Barbarians in their clash against New Zealand.
Ratu Amenatave, in 1969, played for Fiji in their Test matches against the All Blacks and the Australian Wallabies.
The same year, he played for the national rugby team when they won the gold medal at the South Pacific Games in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.
In 1970, Ratu Amenatave moved to Brisbane, Australia, to play rugby league.
From 1970 to 1974, he played for Souths Rugby League Club, West End.
In 1975 for Brothers Rugby League Club while in 1976 to 1977 he represented Beenleigh Bulls RLC, 1978- Beaudesert Rugby League Club, 1980 - Mossman Sharks RLC North Qld.
From 1981 to 1982, he was player/coach Mossman Sharks RLC and was a Cairns Foley Shield representative. Ratu Amenatave's young brother the late Sela Gutugutuwai also represented the national rugby team in sevens and fifteens.
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