WHETHER I get selected or not, it is the coach’s decision and I respect it, says Eroni Sau, the World Rugby Sevens Series Rookie of the Year.
Four days after the Fiji Airways Fiji 7s coach Gareth Baber dropped the Nabukeru, Yasawa native, Sau has come out in full support of his brothers who will carry Fiji’s hopes at the Rugby World Cup Sevens in San Francisco this weekend.
“My brothers will be representing us, let’s support my brothers. For Fiji, ever Fiji,” said the soft-spoken man.
Whichever way one sees it, one thing is for sure that with a lot of sacrifice and determination, Sau is sure to rise again.
This is not the first time Sau has been axed.
In 2013, after scoring two tries during the Battle of the Bati trials, Sau was overlooked for the Rugby League World Cup.
He switched to union and came under the watchful eye of 7s guru the late Lote Rasiga.
Sau’s perseverance and determination saw him rise up the ranks. He redeemed himself, punching above his weight and earning a national call-up.
When Sau made a return to rugby union, he had one aim and that was to be the best that he could in the business.
After a sterling performance at the National Rugby Championship with Drua, Sau earned a spot in the Fiji Airways Fiji 7s team.
In the lead-up to the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series Dubai 7s last year, Sau said he was not only representing the country, but also his family, his wife and two daughters who were his greatest supporters.
His bone-crunching tackles earned him the name “The Sledgehammer”.
Sau has been ruthless on the field, opponents fear him, even trying to avoid the ferocity of the 28-year-old who at one time had to hide from his mother when playing for his village rugby team.
In only his first World Rugby Sevens Series tournament, Sau raked in 37 tries.
Fiji and the world was looking forward to see “The Sledgehammer” one more time in what was to be his swan song as he had signed a two-year deal with French club Perpignan.
However, Baber did not select him in the final 12 for the RWC 7s, citing the father of two’s performance had dropped in the past two tournaments in London and Paris.
