From Naluwai to Japan, Nabetelevu is living his rugby dream

 Jone Nabetelevu, 26, is continuing the legacy set by former national reps from his village in Naluwai, Naitasiri.

These players include former French international Virimi Vakatawa and Noa Nakaitaci. 

The former Nasinu Secondary School student who left home as a teen is playing for the Toyota Verbliz club in Japan's Rugby League One competition.

He is also a member of the Japan national 7s side and played in the Asia Series was a former Fiji U20 rep. 

"There has been a lot rugby greats from my village and I just want to be like them.

"This is my first Coral Coast 7s and I'm loving the experience especially coming with the Japan team and trying to learn as much as we can to qualify our team back to the HSBC series.

"Tough competition in the grassroots and teams are used to playing in the Fiji heat."

Growing up Nabetelevu used to cut out pictures of his rugby heroes and placed them on his desk. 

"The players I looked up were the ones from my village, Vakatawa, Nakaitaci, Sakeo Railoa and I always try to be like them.

"Years later I achieved that, Vakatawa went on to represent France and I opted for Japan."

Nabetelevu was a former rugby league player with Nadera Panthers and was one of the pioneers of the Kaiviti Silktails. He also played rugby league in Paramata before he returned home and secured a Japanese contract.