Naituiyaga Jnr adamant to continue dad’s legacy; Wants to carve his own history

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Aminiasi Naituiyaga Jnr practices a line-out throw with teammates during a Suva Stallions team training session at Bidesi Grounds in Suva on Monday, January 14, 2019. Picture: JONACANI LALAKOBAU

AMINIASI Naituiyaga Junior wants to continue his late father’s legacy as the next Steelman in the rugby world renowned in the local and international rugby arena.

Naituiyaga Jnr will feature for the Shipping Services Suva Stallion 7s team in the McDonald’s Fiji Coral Coast Sevens tournament that kicks off today at the Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka.

The Nadroga lad lost his father at a very young age with no memory of his dad’s legacy but rugby flows in his veins that whenever he plays rugby, he reminds the people of his father’s game style.

“When growing up, I’ve heard stories of my dad’s rugby career and how rugged he was in the field that he hardly speaks but his defence leaves a reminder to his opponents, and I know I can fulfil my duty as his son to revive the Steelman of Fiji rugby and the Coral Coast 7s is a good place to start,” said Naituiyaga Jnr.

“I’ve been playing rugby at a young age and every time I play, I learn something new and I know it’s a development process for me, especially in sevens rugby and I believe in God’s time that that moment will arrive and all I have to do is to train hard.”

Naituiyaga Jnr played flanker for the Malolo rugby team in the Skipper Cup competition but his focus lies on sevens at the moment.

“My father created his own piece of history winning the Melrose Cup and I want to write my own. There are expectations if I can be the next Steelman but only time will tell and I believe in myself to make my father proud,” he said.

Naituiyaga Jnr lives with his mother in Korotogo village in Sigatoka, but his interest to play in the Coral Coast 7s tournament drove him to Suva to train with the team for the past few weeks.

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