- Big Joeli Veitayaki is making his captaincy debut today in Fiji.
- His rugby journey began with the Matuku team during the Hibiscus Festival.
- After struggling as a young player, he joined the St Johns Marist team.
- Veitayaki has faced challenges, including a suspension in New Zealand.
- He emphasizes the strong discipline and camaraderie of the current Fiji team.
- Expectations are high following recent strong performances by Fiji.
- He draws motivation from his family, despite missing them while away.
The Journey of Big Joeli Veitayaki to Leadership
Big Joeli Veitayaki is set to make headlines today as he takes on the role of captain for the national rugby team in front of his home crowd. This isn’t just another match—this marks his second Test as captain, a feat he never really thought he’d achieve. Veitayaki’s journey in the rugby world is nothing short of extraordinary; starting with humble beginnings and a burning determination to stand out on the rugby field, he continues to defy the odds. His first match was for the Matuku team in the island zone competition, part of the Hibiscus Festival. Spectators laughed at his earlier attempts, noting his awkwardness and fundamental challenges, but Big Joe chose to ignore the noise and kept pushing forward.
From Humble Beginnings to National Captain
Following his initial struggles, he made his way to Suva, appearing at the Marist school ground where he was welcomed into the St Johns Marist team coached by Pio Bosco. This was where things started to change for him. He moved on to the Police club and later Raiwaqa, eventually earning a spot as a reserve on the Suva team. In 1990, he caught a break when he joined the Tokoroa club in New Zealand’s King Country. There was a bump in the road—he once faced a suspension for an incident involving biting an opponent. But those were the reckless days behind him; now he stands matured and ready to lead the Fiji team with discipline. “I’ve never been on a team that was so disciplined and so close,” he shared.
Expectations and Personal Sacrifices
The expectations are high after Fiji’s display during tournaments in New Zealand and South Africa recently. He expressed confidence, saying, “We had a good tournament in New Zealand and the boys played well against South Africa.” As he prepares for today’s match against Western Samoa—one that brings back memories of their previous encounter just a month ago—Veitayaki reflects on his roots back home in Matuku, where he dreamt of playing among the elite in the sport. Now, not only does he play at that level, but he also bears the weight of captaincy. His family, his wife and two young children, reside in New Zealand, and while he misses them greatly, he is determined to keep his focus on the game at hand. Today marks his twelfth Test match for Fiji, and he remains hopeful for the World Cup in 1999, with a clear priority on the challenge that lies ahead.
In summary, Big Joeli Veitayaki’s journey from humble beginnings to captain of the Fiji national rugby team showcases his resilience and dedication to the sport. Despite facing challenges, including a suspension in New Zealand, he has matured into a unified and disciplined leader. With high expectations from fans and the pressure of captaincy, Veitayaki remains focused on today’s match against Western Samoa, keeping his family close in heart as he takes on this new role.
