Faith, Prayer Keep Salawa Going

The fear of God has done won­ders in the life of Swire Ship­ping Fijian Drua flanker Ki­tione Salawa (Jnr).

This was revealed yesterday by his mum Vani Salawa, who told SUNsports that her 20-year-old son believed in the power of prayer and that was reason behind his rise in rugby.

“My son is a God fearing young man,” she said

“Even now as we speak his name is still on the Namotomoto (Kali­vari Church) Sunday School’s list.

“He always acknowledges the power of prayer.”

Flying Fijians head coach Vern Cotter rates Salawa as one of the standout players during their Su­per Rugby Pacific opener against the Waratahs last Friday night.

Similar sentiments were echoed by Drua’s head coach, Mick Bryne, when asked by the Australian me­dia about Salawa’s performance.

“Kitione did well with his big hits, tough on the ball and carried the ball well,” he said.

Speaking from their home in Na­motomoto, Nadi, his mum said Sal­awa’s donning the number seven jersey for the Drua was the highest call he could accomplish.

“Kitione said he would build his house from his Fijian Drua earn­ings, and seeing how he played he is not far from doing that,” she said.

“He has God-given talent. We had to build a shed outside our porch to cater for those people from nearby Navoci and Navakai villages who turned up to watch Drua’s Super Rugby debut match with us.

“This united our family, one of my brothers and uncle (Tukai Moape) drove down from Suva, an­other brother (who lives in Nadi) also joined us on Friday evening to watch the game.

Learning from his dad

“Kitione even bought our Drua jerseys (for me and his dad) and insisted that we wear it while we cheered in front of our TV which we had to bring outside for every­one to watch the game on the day.”

Vani hails from Navaga, Cawa in Koro. Salawa is number two of six siblings.

His older brother Mesake, 23, him then sisters, Ulukalisa, Vani Navo­to and Titilia Navusa, then Sanaila Tawake the youngest.

His dad and namesake Salawa (Senior), a former national rugby rep had also donned the same jer­sey number.

Salawa (Junior) turns 21 in May.

“Growing up Kitione always says that rugby is his livelihood. He plays flanker like his dad and gets tips and criticisms from him,” Vani recalled.

Salawa attended Nadi District School then Ratu Navula College for Year 9 up to Year 12. At the age of 14, he was playing in the Un­der-16 rugby team.

“Back then he ( Kitione) told us that rugby was going to be his ca­reer. He has been in the Fiji Rugby radar since 2016, representing Fiji in the Under-16 Australian tour, captained the Fiji Secondary Schools 7s team that played in New Zealand.

“Kitione also represented Fiji in the Schools 15s side in 2018. The following year he was in the Fijian Warrior squad and in 2020 was part of the national sevens training squad for the Tokyo Olympics.”

“He injured himself at training and missed out on Gareth Baber’s final 12 for the Olympics. When he came home his dad encouraged him not to give up as there were other better opportunities to strive for.”

Vani said her son lives at Martin­tar, Nadi, with his uncle Dr Isoa Logavatu but is always in the vil­lage on Sundays to attend church.

This Saturday, Salawa is expected to be in the Drua’s run on team to play the Brumbies in Canberra where he is expected to face a big­ger test in Rob Valetini.

Feedback: karalaini.waqanidrola@fijisun.com.fj