Taga Dies The Former Flying Fijians Captain Was 54 Years Old, Died After A Short Illness

Former national rugby skip­per Mosese Taga, 54 died af­ter a short illness at the Oce­ania Hospitals Pte Ltd, a private hospital in Suva on Tuesday.

The former prop and hooker had first donned the white jersey in 1987 when he was 19 years old, rep­resenting Fiji at the Rugby World Cup, hosted by New Zealand.

Originally from Votua, Lekutu, in the province of Bua, Taga debuted with the Flying Fijians against New Zealand in Christchurch; Fiji lost 13-74.

Former Fijian greats who were also part of that outfit includ­ed Severo Koroduadua, Seru­pepeli Turuva, Sirilo Lovodua, Jone Kubu, Tomasi Cama, Elia Rokowailoa, Paula Nawalu, Epeli Rakai, Peni Volavola, Ilaitia Savai, Livai Kididromo, Samu Vunivalu, Epineri Naituku, Tom Mitchell, Kavekini Nalaga, Salacieli Naivila­wasa, Sairusi Naituku and Manasa Qoro.

The other two who had debuted also on that assignment were Cama and Kididromo.

At the World Cup, Fiji won against Argentina 28-9, but were tipped by Italy 15-18. The side was captained by Koli Rakoroi and coached by George Simpkin.

Four years later, Taga captained the national side to the 1991 World Cup in France making him the youngest to have captained a na­tional rugby side.

The side was coached by Sami­soni Viriviri Senior and Simpkin.

Taga represented Fiji from 1987 and hung his boots in 1998. He played 34 matches at international level – 29 of which he was in the first line-up and five he was on the reserve bench.

Of his 34 games, Fiji won 13, lost 20 and drew 1.

His last test match was against Australia in 1998 where Fiji lost 66-20.

He was also a regular and former Suva skipper.

“He had a colourful rugby career, people could be heard whispering his name when we are out shop­ping or anywhere but to us he was dad. We miss him,” daughter Oliv­ia Solei Taga said yesterday while brushing away her tears.

Taga will be laid to rest on Tuesday at the Suva cemetery.

“There will be no reguregu as we respect the COVID protocol,” his wife Litia Kurisaqila Taga said.

Feedback: karalaini.waqanidrola@fijisun.com.fj