IT’S always the dream of every parent that their kids finish their school and get a job to repay them for their hard labour in bringing them up.
But for Samisoni Waqavatu, it was not the case.
The dream of grooming Semi Radradra was to be a successful man and have a good job turned the opposite direction as Radradra choose otherwise.
Their dreams were what differentiated them — Radradra wanted to play rugby while his dad wanted something else.
In the process of building Radradra to become a better person Waqavatu will always give the Paramatta Eels flyer a smack because his uniforms is always dirty and coming home late from school.
The 25-year-old is the third youngest of seven siblings and his father describes him as a young boy who loved playing rugby.
Radradra left his parent to chase his dream of becoming a successful player.
“I always told him to always concentrate on his studies as I was the lone breadwinner in the family,” 57-year-old Waqavatu said.
“Every day when he returns from school I will always hit him because his uniform will be dirty and he always comes home late.
“When he donned the white jersey I realised his love for the sport. He spent his years at Holy Cross College than moved to LDS.
“He came back home to Taveuni and when he returned to Suva he was chosen to represent Fiji under-20 to play in Italy.
On his return he was chosen by Inoke Male to join the Vatukoula rugby team.
“He then returned to Suva and joined the national 7s squad in 2011 he played in three tournaments, in Dubai, Gold Coast and South Africa 7s where he was roped in by the Parramatta Eels to join rugby league.”
He remembered the day his son told him that he was on his way to Australia to achieve his dream which I told him that it’s up to him if that is what he wants then he should go for it.
“When I retired from work as a PWD employee I started farming to help my family survive and Semi called me up and told me to stop farming as he will support me and the family.
“He built our house in the village and bought a car for the family too.
He plans for us to visit him in Australia and I am proud of him.
“He paid his sisters fees at Lautoka Teachers College and supported us.”
The Somosomo, Taveuni gentleman is looking forward to telling Radradra how proud he is to be his father.
“Semi has gone through a lot in life and he deserves to be happy and we will be there to share his happiness when he weds the love of his life.”
And first up Radradra will score the most ultimate try of his life when he marries his gilrfriend on Tuesday.
The function will be held at the Latter-day Saints church in Tamavua.
He signed a two-year contract with rugby union side Toulon in France.
Waqavatu along with his wife Luisa Sera arrived from Taveuni on Thursday for the function.
