Tough Salawa Junior Gets Going

Swire Shipping Fijian Drua loose­man, Kitione Salawa Junior (pic­tured), is a chip of the old block.

Originally from Na­motomoto Village in the tikina (district) Nadi and province of Ba, Salawa Jnr is the son of former Flying Fijian and Nadi rep, Salawa Senior.

Salawa Jnr, 20, is the Fijian Drua’s new find following his upcoming livewire flankers find of the season

Salawa, who has maternal links to Navaga, Cawa, in Koro has been turning heads at the Super Rugby Pacific compe­tition this season.

His father, Salawa, also a flanker; be­came a household name for his skill tackling and was elusive at the break­downs. He first played for Fiji in 2003, against Tonga, in Nadi. He was also a member of the Fiji squad to the 2003 Rugby World Cup, playing two matches in the tournament.

As the new kid in the block, Salawa Junior shared how he would communi­cate with his father for advice and tips while in camp in Brisbane.

“When I call my father, he would evalu­ate my performance picking out my weaknesses and how I could better or lift my performance. He will say do this at this time or you should have done this.”

Salawa Junior made his debut for the Fijian Drua against Waratahs in round one.

“There is a lot to be done at this level. We need more spark.”

He is urging fans to turn up in big num­bers at Suva’s ANZ Stadium on Saturday.

“We will perform our best against the Highlanders. Do come in big numbers, we need your support.”

Former Fijian 7s captain, now Drua rep, Kalioni Nasoko, said there was a lot of build-up in the last 25 years to have a Fijian side in the Super Rugby competi­tion.

“We have a team that can match the big guns in the toughest rugby club compe­tition. We have the Highlanders next. They are a good side. There is a lot of ex­citement. We want to play in front of our fans.”

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