Joseva Talacolo has only one reason for playing rugby – his family.
Growing up in the interior of Namosi at his Naqarawai Village, Talacolo saw the hardships his parents endured and decided to change his fate.
He is 23 years old and as his parents grow old, he said it was his time to shoulder the responsibilities for his seven siblings because he is the eldest.
“I have tried living in the village and seeing how my parents struggle to put food in front of us, put a roof over our heads and provide for us,” the Fiji 7s forward said.
“Everytime I help my father prepare for our market produce on Thursdays before we travel as early as 1am to the Suva market on Fridays. I feel sorry for him. “From then, I decided to pursue a path in rugby.
“It was not an easy decision because I was just a skinny, tall boy from the interior of Namosi wanting to play with the big boys.”
He said he persuaded his father to enrol him at the Lelean Memorial School Rugby Academy in Nausori.
“I know with the skills I have and watching top Fijian rugby players and practising on my own helps me a lot,” Talacolo said.
“Every time I play I always picture my parents and my seven siblings, and at the end of the day I know I have to provide for them.
“I help my parents buy school materials and whatever little things I can contribute because I know how hard it was growing up.”
The Dubai 7s in December was the starting point for Talacolo’s rise, cementing his name as one of the top players for the future.
Talacolo is the go-to man in the restarts and line-outs for his Police Blue club and the Fiji 7s team.
His aerial ball skills and handling of the ball in one hand is phenomenal.
He said he wanted to create his own legacy as a world-class player.
“I play with all my heart and I have a few years ahead of me to represent my beloved country before I decide to play for any club overseas. “As long as my siblings achieve a good education and my parents are happy.”
