Former All Blacks sevens player Rocky Khan, who has paternal links to Fiji and Rotuma has surfaced on to the rugby pitch again.
This time, the first Fijian of Indian descent to represent New Zealand in 7s rugby, is the co-coach of the Moana Pasifika women’s team that is playing in this weekend’s Takiwhitu Tuturu rugby sevens tournament in Wellington. It started yesterday.
The squad includes players with links to Fiji, Samoa, Tonga and the Cook Islands, reported RNZ.
Khan commended the concept of forming a team of Pacific islanders to play alongside Maori players.
“There are not many Rotumans around and it’s pretty cool that we see Rotumans, the cultures being out there is a bit more and being able to represent that,” Khan said.
“The girls being real proud of where they come from and being able to represent their families as well. It’s a pretty awesome opportunity to be a part of.”
His co-captain Tysha Ikenasio said it meant a lot to represent their Pacific Island heritage.
“We all have a strong passion for where we’ve come from. We all came from ancestors and people in the past that we all represent our own upbringings and families, so everyone holds that strong same passion,” she said.
Moana Pasifika kicks off the tournament against the Black Ferns Sevens Black yesterday m and Black Ferns Sevens White and Black Ferns 15-a-side selection on Saturday afternoon.
