A LONG time former Nadroga rugby player has passed away.
Iliesa Lotawa from Rukurukulevu Village suffered a heart attack while working on his cassava plantation last Thursday.
Some youths from Cuvu Village discovered his body lying motionless on his farm on their way to their farms. Lotawa was part of the great Nadroga team that ruled Fiji rugby in the seventies and also featured in some crucial Farebrother challenges when the Stallions defended it for nine years in a row.
Lotawa, who played first five eighth, was in the Fiji Junior trials for the 1976 tour to Tonga.
He never broke into the national team as the position was heavily contested by the late Wame Gavidi, Dan Lobendahn, Tomu Jani and Watisoni Nasalo. But he usually held the fort for the number 10 jersey for Nadroga when Gavidi and Lobendahn were on national duty.
He is survived by his wife, four daughters and four grandchildren.
He will be buried today at Rukurukulevu Village.