Ratuniyarawa Ready To Join Flying Fijians
Now I will have to work hard again and push myself in training, I look forward in sharing my experience to the young guys in the team. I want to contribute positively to the team, which was why I put my hand up for selection.”
Wednesday 03 November 2021 | 11:44
Northampton Saints lock, Api Ratuniyarawa (right) fends off an Ospreys player during their match on September 10, 2021.
Hard work is always rewarding.
Those were the words of veteran Northampton Saints lock Api Ratuniyarawa when he got a call to join the Flying Fijians squad for this month’s Test matches.
Speaking to SUNsports yesterday, the 35-year-old said: “I was a bit surprised when they got in touch with me on Friday, last week, asking me if I’m available to represent Fiji again in this November Autumn Tests.”
Ratuniyarawa is in good form as he has been a regular for the Saints in this season’s Gallagher Premiership in England.
“I’ve been playing well and to be able to get a call up again is really rewarding,” he added.
Ratuniyarawa after confirming his availability to join the Flying Fijians looks forward to meeting up with the players in their training camp in Madrid, Spain.
He replaces Clermont’s Peceli Yato who has been ruled out due to injury.
Playing over 100 games for the Saints, the former Naitasiri forward said, he is ready to take on the challenge of playing international rugby again and show upcoming players how it is done.
“Now I will have to work hard again and push myself in training, I look forward in sharing my experience to the young guys in the team.”
His Saints team-mates of hooker Sam Matavesi and halfback Frank Lomani are also in the Flying Fijians squad.
Veteran lock Leone Nakarawa who plays for Toulon is expected to captain the Flying Fijians following the unavailability of centre Levani Botia.
Looking ahead, Ratuniyarawa said his immediate goal is to help the Flying Fijians do well in these Autumn Tests. They face Spain this Saturday, Wales on November 14 and Georgia on November 20.
“I want to contribute positively to the team, that was why I put my hand up for selection,” he said.
Ratuniyarawa says the Test matches are important to him as his performance could open up many opportunities in the future tours, leading up to the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France.
He last represented the Flying Fijians at the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan.
Feedback: leonec@fijisun.com.fj
