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 TEIVOVO.COM – COLONIAL CUP
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Friday 22 December 2006
Kadavu lad sets high goals
By William Tabuya
Six years after travelling to Viti Levu for the Island Zone competition, Josevata Marawa Bola has forced his way into the Highlanders line-up for the 2007 Colonial Cup.
This follows his impressive season with Naitasiri when he finished top scorer in the Sanyo Cup with 95 points (16 conversions and 21 penalties).
From humble beginnings on a paddock at Levuka Fijian Primary School in Kadavu, the soft spoken Police officer based in Suva is counting his stars on the mainland.
“I came to Viti Levu in 2000 for the Island Zone competition and after losing in the final 7-6 to Rabe, I was advised by FRU officials to stay and play more rugby on the mainland,” Bola told Teivovo.
“They said my skills would be best put to use here and that I could also get better.”
The Naitasiri fly-half heeded the official’s advice but had no clue then of what lay ahead.
“My only goal at that time was to play more rugby and to wear the Suva jersey.”
And that he did in 2001 after playing for the Birdland Kadavu side that won the Air Fiji Cup.
After five years with Suva, Bola switched to Naitasiri in search for more game time.
“I was being kept on the bench a lot for Suva, so I went to a Naitasiri club and asked them if I could play.”
Bola met the Disavu rugby officials and, having represented Suva, they were happy to take him. After three games for Disavu at Ram Lakhan Park in Samabula, Bola was spotted by Naitasiri selectors.
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Law and order... Jo Bola patrols in Suva to make sure that all is safe during the festive season
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He wore the No.15 jersey for Naitasiri but it was not until the ninth round of the Sanyo Cup that he was handed the kicking duties when Saula Rabaka traveled with the Fiji Development XV to play the Queensland Reds.
In his first game in this new role, Bola kicked four penalties and a conversion to help Naitasiri edge Suva 19-16 at the Suva Grammar Grounds.
“From then on, I took over kicking duties from Rabaka,” he said.
He played throughout Naitasiri’s 11-match winning streak, but was not named in the crucial semi-final encounter where they lost to Nadroga 19-14 after extra-time.
“The kicking would have made a difference that day and I only wish I was on the field, but the selectors had other players in mind.”
In his secondary schooldays, Bola reached the final of the 400 metres. And throughout his rugby career, he has been surrounded with talented players.
Initially at Vunisea Secondary School, Bola later pursued his education at Sila Central where he played alongside national reps Seva Rokobaro, Alipate Naqaya and 7s rep Sakaraia Tui in their U19 Dean's quarter-final win against Marist Brothers. But MBHS proceeded to the semis following a protest that Sila had fielded an over-aged player.
He later featured prominently for the Police Mobile 7s side, playing alongside national wings Sireli Bobo and Rupeni Caucau. And in 2004, he tried out at halfback, with William Ryder at playmaker, when he joined Lautoka's PWD Bure 7s side.
The pinnacle of his 7s career was winning the Chile 7s and Argentina 7s with the Fiji Warriors 7s in 2004 under Pauliasi Tabulutu.
Bola has now set his sights on next year’s Rugby World Cup and sees the Colonial Cup as his chance to impress the selectors enough to make the 30-member squad that will travel to France next August.
“I have come this far, and hopefully I will keep going. The Colonial Cup is my chance of donning the national jumper.”
With Seremaia Bai and Jack Prasad ahead of him at fly-half, Bola believes that it is through his boots that he has a chance of being in the Fiji squad.
“Fiji has not had a stand-out goal kicker for some time so I hope to make an impression with my kicking.”
Bola dedicates his achievements to his late father, Joni Bola, who passed away after the Island Zone final in 2000.
“My father is always a strong source of hope for me and if I do get into the Fiji side – it will be specially for him.”
Colonial Cup
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