Nasilasila set for Japan move after emotional farewell

Fijian Drua’s most-capped player, Isoa Nasilasila, is tipped to join a club in Japan.

The lanky lock who joined the club in their debut Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific debut in 2022 was among the eight players who are leaving at the end of the season.

“Obviously, it’s still pretty hard to accept leaving the franchise that brought me in so many years ago,” Nasilasila said.

“It’s been weighing on me for a few weeks now. I only made the decision this week and signed everything. It’s a tough decision, but when it comes to my future and what I want to achieve for my family, it’s a decision I have to make.”

The 26-year-old hopes his departure would create opportunities for emerging local talents.

“It would definitely be to live in the moment and take every moment as it comes. You don’t want to think too far ahead and you don’t want to look too far behind.

“You just want to take every step along the way. As I told the team earlier, I’m taking all the good memories and all the bad memories. But I definitely live in the moment.”

Nasilasila highlighted two significant moments from his time with the Drua.

“It’s tough. Definitely beating the Crusaders for the first time. It was a dream playing against the Crusaders and to beat them was crazy.

“This year, when we beat the Brumbies, both in Ba and away (in Canberra), but especially away. Seeing what the team has gone through and how hard we’ve worked over the last few years, we’ve had that away record hanging over us for so long.

“To see how much work the players, staff and management put in, and then finally get a result like that and do it the way we did, was probably one of my proudest moments.”

The Viseisei, Vuda native is among the 10 Drua players named in the Fiji Water Flying Fijians squad for the Nations Championship in July.

“Whenever you get called up to represent your country, it’s always a blessing, a privilege and an honour.

“You can see from the names announced that there is great quality and depth throughout the squad. It’s a great team to be part of.”

Nasilasila also thanked supporters and family members who backed him throughout his career.

“To play for Fiji comes with tough times, but we’ve loved every step along the way.

“To my family in Sydney, the Gold Coast and here in Fiji, thank you for all your support and for helping me become the player and the man I am today.

“To my partner, Makare, thank you so much for all your support. Being a player is tough, but having her support and knowing she’s always in my corner has meant the world to me.

“Also, to her family, my time here has been so easy because of their support while I’m in Fiji. It’s a blessing to have people like that around you to help lift you up when times get tough.”