Koroibete’s Mentor Speaks

Seaqaqa Central College teach­er Taniela Vakamoce (com­monly known to his students as Master Dan) while fostering positive bond with his students has special eyes in maximizing success in them.

Taniela Vakamoce, fondly known to his students as Master Dan was recently acknowledged by Marika Koroibete as the man who helped shape his sporting career. Photo: Supplied

It was no surprise when Fijian product Wallabies winger Marika Koroibete following his spectacular try-saving tackle to help Australia beat South Africa 25-17 on Saturday mentioned Vakamoce as the man that contributed immensely to his rugby journey.

Clashed pathways

The two clashed pathways when Vakamoce was Koroibete’s form teacher while he was in Year 11 at Nasinu Secondary School in 2009.

Born and raised in Naraiyawa in the interior of Namosi, Koroibete as a boarder had a secret, which Vakamoce caught him doing.

“I was his class teacher and he (Koroibete) was a boarder at Nas­inu Secondary School; he was doing something without the duty teach­ers’ knowledge he had a secret rou­tine,” Vakamoce said.

“He wakes up at 4am in the morn­ing, climbs the school fence and es­capes to do his morning runs, and this went on until he joined the Fi­jian Bati (rugby league) residence team in 2010,” he said.

They at that time were others who were also mentioned by Vakamoce have now made their mark overseas like France rugby centre Virimi Vakatawa, Fijian sevens reps Pilipo Bukayaro and Kaminieli Rasaku, former Wallabies winger Sefanaia Naivalu, France-based Henry Spring, Tevita Railevu and Kamin­ieli Raivono.

Crowded home

“Koroibete was a student of a few words, his upbringing and strug­gles brought us close.

“He was a talented player; it was easy moulding him because he was obedient.

“At one time there were about 10 extra people in my house; it was all worth it because majority of them have found their career pathways with rugby.”

Koroibete mentioned (Master) Vakamoce following his try-saving tackle at Adelaide and when Vaka­moce asked him why and he replied: “Master you’re an honest and hard­working person. You never gave up on me; you pushed and moulded me to be what I am today.

Limelight

“After reading that article I was so emotional thinking of the strug­gles. I didn’t expect that you will put me in the limelight,” Vakamoce said.

“It’s good to see that everything that we shared sank, to be appreci­ated showed that he (Koroibete) is a hardworking and respectable stu­dent.

“We had formed a lifetime bond that when his family comes to Suva they come straight to my home.”

Vakamoce added the moment he parted ways with Koroibete when he was to leave for Australia was something he would never forget.

“Koroibete’s dad told me that whatever decision I make on his son’s future was final.

“It was tough for me but I told Koroibete to go and give his all in Australia and accept whatever con­tract that came his way either big or small. Koroibete did just that and it has brought him this far,” he added.

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