FIJI Airways Fiji 7s squad member Ilikena Vudogo has crossed the bridge to rugby league after signing a contract with the Brisbane Broncos This will see the national under-20 rep switching codes from rugby union to rugby league.
Vudogo signed the contract earlier this month, revealed his parents Mosese and Merewai Ratukalou. Vudogo, 20, who is from Nalotu Village in Kadavu, was born and bred in Nadroga.
He featured for Tailevu in the Vodafone Vanua Championship. His father said hard work, commitment and sacrifice paid off for his son.
“When Kena was dropped from the first leg of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series, I told him not to give up and keep that fire burning because I know his passion lies In rugby,” Mosese said.
“I didn’t know he had the offer to play in the NRL and he wanted to surprise us and when he broke the news through a phone conversation. My wife and I shed tears of joy because our son is finally chasing his dream.
“He has always worked hard in everything he did and even when he was in the village he leaves at dawn to go to the farm and comes home in the afternoon packing his food for the whole day and one day he wanted to play rugby so bad that he asked us if he could go to the mainland to his sister in Nakelo in Tailevu and that’s when his journey started.”
Vudogo has also been dropped from the Fiji 7s team extended squad after he revealed his contract to the head coach Gareth Baber.
Baber agreed on the contract knowing it’s another milestone achievement for a young player to proceed with his rugby career to another level.
“I think in Ilikena you would probably find that there is some news of him signing his new contract in Australia, so he won’t be with us as part of the squad. I wish him the best in his new journey,” said Baber.- Vudogo said his family had always been his motivation.
“What kept me going was my family and knowing that what I am doing is for them with all the sacrifices and commitments and difficulties faced, they have always been by my side,” said Vudogo.- He leaves for Australia in the New Year.
