Silktails Way Forward For Tobe

As Ropate Tobe watched the rugby ball soar through the air in a commercial he was part of 13 years ago, little did he realise how his sporting career would be catapulted in the same way.

Tobe appeared in a 2008 Digicel TV advert where he was shown kicking a rugby ball at his village of Navukailagi, Gau, Lomaiviti.

Now 13 years later, the former student of Navukailagi District School is now part of the Silktails outfit camping in Lautoka for the 2021 Ron Massey Cup in Australia.

The utility-back said he needs to unearth more of himself on the field.

“It’s a good feeling to be part of the Silktails outfit. It was sad that we had to play only one game last season due to the pandemic,” he said.

“We hope that we get more game time and compete in the Ron Massey Cup to another level. We thank the stakeholders who are giving us this push for more exposure.

“My aim is to be part of the Rugby League World Cup squad and eventually get a NRL contract,” the 26-year-old said.

When he came to Suva, he lived with his family in Delainavesi attending Laucala Bay Secondary School and Suva Grammar School.

Tobe joined the Republic of Fiji Military Forces in 2013. His rugby league career began playing for the Makoi Bulldogs before he was part of the Army Bears in 2017.

He is part of the Vodafone Fiji Bati side and has played in the Defence Rugby League World Cup in Australia in 2017.

Last year he made his debut for the Army side that lost 32-8 to Police in the 2020 FMF Ratu Sukuna Bowl at the ANZ Stadium, Suva on December 12.

“I made my rugby debut in the Sukuna Bowl last year. Despite the result, it was worth an exposure.Meanwhile, former Marist Brothers High School Under-18 captain Vuate Karawalevu who made his provincial rugby debut for the Naitasiri in the Skipper Cup Premiership last year is part of the Silktails outfit.

The Dravuwalu, Kadavu youngster made his debut for the Naitasiri in round two of the Skipper Cup competition.

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