Metuisela Talebula's outstanding performance in the 29-17 win against Tonga yesterday must have been immensely satisfying for him, parents, siblings and other family members and his fans.
Rugby fans of the nation, who watched the game from home, had their eyes glued to their television sets in the tough contest and our boys delivered.
We applaud their team play and the hard work of their coaches and officials who provide the back-up work that is necessary for players to perform on the field.
The win yesterday by our Flying Fijians has renewed the hopes of fans throughout this rugby-loving nation.
Last week, Talebula was the talk of the nation after his impressive score between the posts — and that too on his debut in full version of the oval ball game.
He thanked his teammates and acknowledged their contribution to his stand-out performance. He did not forget his supporters for their big part in the win yesterday.
Yesterday's Test was the last for the Pacific Nation Cup and securing second position behind Samoa in the PNC has come at a hard price for our Flying Fijians. We congratulate them and we acknowledge the sacrifices on and off the field they've had to endure to return Fiji to winning ways.
The Flying Fijians, the majority of whom are local-based players, have given us hope yet again. What hope, some may ask?
Hope in the sense that in an International Rugby Board-sanctioned tournament, the Pacific Nations Cup, our team stacked with local boys managed to beat Japan and Tonga. They had lost to eventual winners Samoa by 29-26. Last week they lost to Scotland 37-25 where at one stage they trailed by two points.
During the week, injured skipper Netani Talei had asked fans to keep believing in the team. Coach Inoke Male had said they had to win for the fans. And the team laced with local players, returned the faith put in them by the selectors, and did just that.
Sceptics will say that local or overseas-based players, we were supposed to have beaten these two teams anyway. Let's be reminded that nothing can be taken for granted in Test rugby.
The 2015 Rugby World Cup is a long way away we know, but we have a local coach who as Warriors and Flying Fijians coach has tasted victory.
There is hope that with the combination of factors at the right moment, we can have a team stacked with locals, to do us proud on the biggest of stages.