On the rugby field commentators call him ‘The Answer’.
Teti Tela earned the nickname because of the way he marshalls his teammates into action.
These days, however, the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua fly-half has opted to leave the talking off-the-field to his roommate, Leone Nawai.
Tela was born in Levuka but migrated to New Zealand when he was seven and moved to Australia when he was 12
. Along the way he lost touch with his mother tongue. Since joining the Drua, however, he has picked up on the lingo.
“My Fijian has improved since joining the side and I am thankful to my roomie, Leone Nawai for teaching me,” the 31-year-old said.
“I know he teaches me more about the Nadi dialect but I am grateful for that and also for the opportunity to play for the Drua.”
While he was born and spent his formative years in the Old Capital, Tela hails from Daliconi Village on the island of Vanuabalavu, Lau, with maternal links to Sawakasa Village, Tailevu. According to his uncle Autiko Tela, Teti always had a passion for rugby while growing up.
“Teti’s father, Jiofiliti Tela, worked for the Fiji Electricity Authority at that time and his mother, Rosi Dreu-Tela worked for Colonial National Bank and they lived near Nasau Park in Levuka Town,” he said.
“I think that was where Teti picked up his passion for rugby mainly because teams near the town would train there and his father also played rugby for the Combined Service club.”
The Combined Service team was made up of men from the village of Baba and civil servants who were posted to the island.
“Teti is the middle child and has two other brothers — Semiti who is older and Mikaele, the youngest.
“All three of them have a passion for the sport but with Teti it was different. “As usual, after school they had chores that needed to be done.
“Semiti and Mikaele would do theirs diligently but Teti would rush through his chores, whether it was helping out inside the house or picking up breadfruit leaves outside the house.
“He would pick up rubbish and then disappear in the next minute only to be found playing with boys older than him at the park.”
Autiko said it was an emotional and proud moment watching his nephew play against the Highlanders at the ANZ Stadium over the weekend.
“Being the tata lailai representing his parents and siblings who couldn’t attend, I felt so proud of him on Saturday and I could tell that the team did exceptionally well.
“I know how obedient Teti is to his training and diet and it was so humbling to hear people comment on how well my nephew played on Saturday.
“I know that my brother and sister-in-law raised their son right and I wish they were in the country to watch their son play.”
His uncle also recalled how female fans would cheer very raucously every time Teti kicked or did a goosestep.
“I could hear girls and ladies cheering for Teti and I am sorry to break their hearts but Teti is married and not available.”
Autiko said that after their outstanding performance against the Highlanders, close family members and relatives were planning to travel to Lautoka on the 28th of this month and cheer for the Drua in their hit up against the Chiefs.
“We have a family page and we have decided to rally as a family and show our support for Teti with T-shirts and banners for the match.
“We will also prepare fish for him after the game because we know how he loves his fish.
“He says fish in Fiji is tastier than in Australia and New Zealand.”
Speaking to The Fiji Times, Tela spoke about his inclusion into the Drua side.
“I was in New Zealand and just had my Achilles surgery which I suffered against the All Blacks,” he said.
“Jacko (Glen Jackson), our backline coach was part of the coaching staff for the All Blacks series and he mentioned the Drua to me, this was in July 2021.
“To be honest, I did not know where things might be because I had a long journey ahead before I could play rugby again”.
Tela said both Jackson and Sim on Raiwalui kept in touch, checking on his progress during rehab.
“They both kept in touch throughout 2021.
“The Drua was included into the Super Rugby Pacific competition asking me if I was interested in
joining the side.
“I was still injured at that time and in rehab. So pretty much they took a chance on me to come in and play.
“I could not say no. I am proud of representing Fiji and I thank the coaches for the opportunity which I consider a blessing.”
Upon arrival at the initial camp in Lennox Head, Tela said he was amazed with the amount of talent coming through the local competitions in Fiji.
“I am always a big believer in the hard work and rugby talent in Fiji.
“The skills and the talent will always be there obviously being one of the biggest rugby factories in the world.
“I think something that can be improved is getting used to competitive environments.
“I got my first taste when I was part of the Flying Fijians squad that took on the Barbarians at Twickenham.
“Majority of the boys came from the Drua team, boys who played through local competitions and we beat the Barbarians.
“That was a big one for me.”
The Drua had fans on their feet cheering the team on in excitement during last week’s historical match at the ANZ National Stadium.
The Mick Byrne coached-side showed glimpses of how dangerous they could be and sent a strong message to the rugby world that they would be a force to reckon with in the coming years.
Tela said it all came back to how the boys prepared themselves throughout the week leading up to their games.
“Nothing really changes from a prep point of view.
“The players have been doing their reviews.
“Their commitment off the field and during training, watching and analysing previous games and every other aspect of the sport.
“Playing in Fiji is always a special occasion and it motivates the boys to perform. The players have a fair idea of New Zealand sides, having played the Blues and Highlanders, so there is belief that the team has what it takes to tussle with the sport’s giants.”
His journey in the oval-ball sport started in Levuka playing in the Kaji rugby competitions and he dabbled a bit in rugby league during their stay in New Zealand.
His passion for rugby union was reignited in Australia playing high school 1st XV rugby for Ipswish Grammar.
He plays club rugby for the GPS Rugby club in Brisbane and debuted for the Queensland Country team in the 2017-2018 seasons in the National Rugby Championship.
In 2018, he received a call to join the Queensland Reds team and signed a two-year deal with the Super Rugby side making his debut against the Sunwolves on July 17, 2018.
He was part of the Fijian Latui squad in 2020 and a member of the Flying Fijians team that took on the All Blacks last year.
Although the season was heading towards the end, a place in the finals would be a dream come true and Tela added that there are a certain aspects of his game that he would work on before he donned the Drua jersey on game day.
“A big one would be the talanoa on the field and kicking game.
“For me playing in a Fijian side, it mainly revolves around being able to organise and getting the ball where it needs to go.
“Especially if we are making breaks, we need the ball thrown to our wingers on the edges.
“Obviously, the forwards are an important aspect of our team so it is my job to make sure that they keep working up the middle which they have been doing tremendously throughout the season”.
With the Rugby World Cup looming next year, Tela said he would be grateful and blessed if he was given the opportunity to represent the country again.
“I will always be proud of representing my nation and if I am given the chance, then I would play to the best of my ability.”
Tela and his wife, Madeline are eagerly awaiting the arrival of their baby daughter in the coming months and he was excited about the new role he was about to play.
“I am very excited to be a dad for the first time. Every time I take the field, I am representing my little family.
“It has been a motivating factor for me this season and I am grateful to my partner for holding the fort while I am away. That is why I have to be an example on and off the field.”
In his parting remarks, Tela advised young ruggers to always keep their head down and to work hard.
“I am a big advocate for hard work. The road to success is never easy; you will come across some hardships in life.
“Put your head down and always keep God first in everything you do.
“If you dream to do it, do not let anything hold you back. Work hard and you will surely reap the rewards.”
