Playing in this year’s Royal Tea Ranadi Cup competition has been a boost in the rugby career of 16-year-old Sulueti Sagati.

The Tavua District School student played for Tavua in the Ranadi Cup quarterfinal where they were walloped 60-0 by Kadavu last Saturday.

The big loss did not deter Sagati who is confident that one day her dream of playing top level rugby will materialise.

Sagati hails from Nabena Village in Naitasiri with maternal links to the chiefly village of Tavualevu.

She told SUNsports that her dream to play rugby began at primary school.

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“That was where my dream to play rugby began,” Sagati said.

“My favourite rugby player is Jerry Tuwai and I always like to watch him play. He was good at halfback and I wanted to play in that position.”

She said when the Fijiana (national women’s rugby sevens and fifteens teams) and then the Drua came on, her passion to play rugby just grew.

“I loved watching these teams play and that motivated me to play the sport. My goal now is to play for the (Fijian) Drua in the Super W competition. I want to play in the Super Rugby level.”

Sagati said in Tavua and Rakiraki, women playing rugby is something new but it’s starting to develop very fast.

“Even though we are still at the developing stage everyone is competing for a spot as we all want to make the national team.

“I’m still learning, and I know a lot of us need to improve in a lot of things. In years to come I could see myself as a professional rugby player representing Fiji.

“I know that I need to work hard in training so I could reach my goal,” she added.

As for now Sagati is not going to give up on her dream since she is only a few steps away from making it a reality.

Feedback: mereleki.nai@fijisun.com.fj