VAILUA Nitz, 16, has two objectives when he competes for a spot in the Fiji under-16 rugby extended squad preparing for the Australian Inter-State Rugby competition.
First he wants to be a Fiji rep, and he also wants to be the first Kioa islander to be a Fiji rugby rep.
A squad of 30 players has been selected to prepare for the competition on the Gold Coast, Australia on September 29.
Only 26 players will be selected to represent Fiji and their team will be announced today by Fiji Rugby Union CEO John O’Connor.
The Kio lad attends All Saints Secondary School in Labasa, but is now attending a school in Suva to continue studies and attend training.
Nitz said being selected to be part of the extended squad was an achievement, especially while being a student from Labasa.
“I’ve always wanted to represent Fiji in the future and here’s my chance,” Nitz said.
“My goal is to be the first person from Kioa Island to represent Fiji in rugby. I am also focusing on getting an overseas contract,” Nitz said.
“I know it’s only a dream, but I will try my best to fulfil that dream and make my parents and family proud and to be selected to the national under-16 team will be a stepping stone towards my goal. The Kioan is trying to adapt to the busy and fast Suva City life.
“I’m living in Nausori with my relatives and my first bus ride was the longest because I took the wrong bus twice, but then I managed to understand which one to take,” Nitz said.
The national U16 team will play New South Wales 1, NSW 2 and ACT Brumbies in the pool games before the playoff.
In the U18 grade, the squad of 31 players will be reduced to 26 to travel to New Zealand on September 26.
The side will play Wellington Samoans in a warm-up match before they meet New Zealand Barbarians in their first encounter and then the NZ Maori in their final match.
