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 TEIVOVO.COM – INTERNATIONAL 7s
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Saturday 27 January 2007
Beyond a boy's dreams
By William Tabuya
An 8-year-old boy listens fervently to his father’s radio at his village home in Nadroga as his rugby icon, Waisale Serevi, helps the Fiji 7s team defeat New Zealand 22-6 in the 1992 Hong Kong 7s final.
Fifteen years later, Simeli Koniferedi is about to take to the field with the same person he marvelled.
The Nasama villager says he relishes every moment with the Digicel Fiji 7s side as they prepare for the second leg of the 2006-07 IRB World 7s Series.
“Serevi has always been my favourite 7s player. I used to hear of him on the radio when I was small but I never dreamt that I would be playing alongside him one day,” the Nadroga fullback said.
“Honestly, I really did not expect to be named in the team, especially to be given the chance to play with senior players such as Serevi.”
Last year, Koniferedi took over from Neumi Nanuku as Nadroga fullback and helped them win the Sanyo Cup, Sullivan Farebrother Trophy and BP 7s Series.
“The training in the Fiji camp is intense like at my club. The team spirit is high and it is just a really good feeling. I am really thankful to God and the selectors for believing in me. ”
Koniferedi, a cousin of France-based Napolioni Nalaga, plays his rugby with the Gaunavou club and represented the Nadroga U21s team from 2004-05.
“I joined the senior team last year and was shifted from wing to fullback during our fifth round Sanyo Cup clash against Ovalau.”
By the end of 2006, the 23-year-old had sealed his position in the No.15 jumper .
Serevi noticed Koniferedi’s bustling runs and strong defence and gave him a chance to join the 7s squad.
“He is a very good runner and is strong in defence,” Serevi said. "We all saw how well he played for Nadroga."
Koniferedi played utility back during his schooldays at Sigatoka District and Nadroga/Navosa High but learnt most his rugby at home.
“My uncle Maleli Naiqitu would teach me many ways of kicking and passing during the evenings and it has really become useful.”
“Since there was no age-grade competition at the higher level, I featured in the U19s and U21s for our Gaunavou club and we would play against other villages.”
Koniferedi’s club is made up of young boys and men from his village. Weekly matches involve the surrounding villages of Sigatoka, Yadua and Cuvu.
He also represented the Sigatoka Young Boys from 2002-03.
And this young talent has set himself higher goals for the future: “Playing 7s is great but my focus is to go back to 15s and hopefully have a spot at the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.”
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