Two former scholars from a prominent all-boys school in Fiji who have received their All Blacks recall for the South Africa tour say they are grateful that they can represent their families and villages in the black jersey.
Chiefs utility Emoni Narawa and Otago co-captain Timoci Tavatavanawai, both former pupils of Queen Victoria School (QVS) located in Tailevu (about 75 minutes drive from the capital suva), have been named in Dave Rennie’s 44-member squad for the tour.
The All Blacks will play eight matches, including three Test matches against world champions the Springboks – their first tour to South Africa in thirty years – before the side flies to the USA to play their fourth test.
Narawa is the QVS senior old boy while Tavatavanawai is the junior.
Narawa is also the senior All Black out of the two, having made the team earlier in 2023, and debuting on 8 July that year against Argentina in Mendoza, scoring a try in the game.
Tavatavanawai was first called in July last year, and came of the bench in his debut match against France in Wellington on 12 July.
Both missed the initial squad selected for the Nations Championship series last month, but were called in by Rennie to fly off to South Africa.
They join 15 other players with Pasifika heritage in the team, which includes fellow Fijian origin player George Bower.
Speaking to RNZ on Monday, the players expressed their gratitude to be in the team and representing the people who mattered to them.
Narawa said it takes a village to raise someone and that is who he is representing.
“Where we come from, it’s not just us that got us here,” he said. “It’s our village. Obviously there are people back home who sacrificed a lot for where we are today.”
Narawa said he is always proud to be a Fijian.
“I am in the All Blacks and I am always proud to be a Fijian in the All Blacks, which is quite cool.”
Tavatavanawai said he is excited to be representing New Zealand as a Fijian and being a role model for younger generation who would be aiming to achieve the highest standards they can.
“For us representing this country means a lot to the people who have done a lot for us to be here,” he said.
“At the same time, we are grateful that we can represent this country, especially our people and the younger generation out there who are trying to achieve the bigger milestone.”
Both Narawa and Tavatavanawai will be keen to get game time on tour, with Rennie indicating everyone will get to play because of the intense schedule.
Meanwhile, Tonga heritage player Fehi Fineanganofo is also looking forward to the tour and playing Springboks’ players he watched growing up.
“Excited but also bumped not seeing family but getting stuck into it,” he said.
“Growing up watching these big Springboks players I can’t wait to get into it.”
Two new Pasifika players have also made the squad: Hurricanes Siale Lauaki and Moana Pasifika’s Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa will debut on tour.
Squad captain Ardie Savea has been give more time off to rest and will join the team later, with Crusaders veteran Cody Taylor taking over the captaincy until Savea joins the team before the first test match.
The All Blacks kick off their tour against the Stormers in Cape Town on 8 August, before they face the Sharks on 12 August in Durban, the Bulls in Pretoria on 16 August and the Lions in Johannesburg on 26 August.
They play the Springboks on 23 August in Johannesburg in the first Test, 30 August in Cape Town in second, and 8 September returning to Johannesburg for the third Test.
Their fourth and final Test will be played in Baltimore on 13 September.
