TEIVOVO.COM – FEATURE

Village power – Namatakula

23 October 2000

If one village in Fiji could epitomise the nation’s rugby dreams, that village would be Namatakula. Almost legendary, this tiny rural landmark has been responsible more than any other for producing some of the country’s leading rugby talent, from Noa Nadruku to Luke Erenavula to Temesia Kaumaia. Teivovo’s Vela Naucukidi takes a closer look at the mystique surrounding the village.



The Queen’s Highway runs right through the middle of this cluster of 70-odd houses, splitting the lapping waves on the beach and the rugby field at Ratu Filise Memorial School, the key to the village’s unparalleled success.

If you pass through the settlement in the late afternoon, nine times out of 10 you’ll see the local team throwing the ball around on the school field right next to the highway.

The legendary Ratu Filise Memorial School

When a tough match lies ahead, the coach opts for a session on the beach itself, running on the sand to increase the workload. The coastline here is protected by the reef, but the crashing of the waves some 500 metres out produces a soothing acoustic backdrop to offset the training pain.

The village team, which has seen many name changes over the years, is now known as Warwick, after the luxury resort nearby which act as sponsors.
Why so many internationals emerge from such a small community is anybody’s guess. Current coach Keleto Loboilagi, who represented Fiji at the Hong Kong Sevens in 1984 when they thrashed New Zealand 26-0 in the final, believes the tradition of the place adds to the desire of its people to achieve success.

“Any rugby player who goes to Ratu Filise school knows that he must strive to get into the national team,” Loboilagi said. “It’s tradition, I suppose. We have the name and reputation of the village to protect.”

Loboilagi grew up in nearby Komave, but like the others he schooled at Ratu Filise.

Before rugby came into the picture, soccer was the main game in the area. When rugby emerged, the team was a combination of three villages – Namatakula, Komave and Nawamagi (now known as Baravi) – and came under the Serua Rugby Union. Splits in the team were followed by reunions, then more splits. The two main teams were Lokalevu and Vusa, until eventually the school brought everyone back together because it represented the whole tikina (community).

Future stars on the waterfront

Teaching and coaching
We called in to see Deladeni Caucau, the teacher whose name was given to us by the 130-kg Fiji prop Peniasi Damu, who also comes from Namatakula.

Originally from the village, Mr Caucau moved back to Ratu Filise in 1981 to teach. He coached the rugby team from 1987 to 1997 until he found the sacrifices on his work and private life too much. But during his decade of tutorage, notable internationals like Nadruku, Erenavula, Lote Tuqiri, Tukula Tuqiri and the Batibasagas developed their skills. Now the team includes Kaumaia, Damu, Fero Lasagavibau, Sirilo Lala and Nadruku’s brother Sireli Vulaono.

And when they move on, there will always be others.

“I had pressure on me to teach my students in the classroom, and then at 4pm the team was waiting outside for me, so in 1998 I gave it up,” Mr Caucau said.



“I always told the boys to aim high,” he said. “Try to be on top, and if you can’t do well in the classroom, maybe you’ll have a special gift on the rugby field. But you have to give it your best!”

Though they start with nothing, many of the villagers have found contracts overseas. They later bring equipment back for the team.

Through the Rugby League contacts in the village, Kaumaia won himself a contract in Adelaide last year, but he switched back to Union because his physique did not suit league. He has since earned accolades as a sevens winger, and was selected for the 15s trials in May though chose not to attend.

Mr Caucau taught Kaumaia from primary up to club level. In 1996, you could still see the slight winger standing on the sidelines as a spectator until the day the teacher-cum-coach asked him to lace up his boots. He quickly made the Warwick B team, then hard work took him into the A team in 1997 playing alongside Lala, Lasagavibau, Filipe Tawayaga, Aminiasi Naituyaga and Josevata Nagasaubula, who is now in France.

After his excursion overseas, Teme is now back in the village helping his young cousins with their development. After every trip, like all good Fijians, he returns with boots, balls, shorts... whatever he can pick up. He sees the talented youngsters in the village and knows they could follow his footsteps given half a chance.

Today, Warwick flourish as one of the country’s top clubs. Their main aim this season was to wrestle the Kalevu Trophy from Coral Coast rivals Sigatoka, who have held it for the past four years.

No doubt, some extra beach training sessions will be on the coach’s agenda.

Some of the current Warwick team in the village...

...and after a beach session

Seta Tawake (left) acts as bodyguard to three Warwick players, Temesia Kaumaia, Fero Lasagavibau and Sirilo Lala