Apolosi Ranawai has emerged as an unlikely mid-season revelation for the NSW Waratahs, scoring in back-to-back Super Rugby appearances and keeping alive a long-held ambition to don Fiji’s white jersey. The 32-year-old tight-head prop from Korovuto crossed for his first Super Rugby try in round 13 against the Highlanders at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin, and followed that up with another touchdown in what the incoming report described as his first Super Rugby appearance on home soil against the Fijian Drua.
Ranawai’s quick rise comes after a standout debut in round 12 against the Western Force. A former Fijian junior representative, he said the driving priority is to cement his place with the Waratahs before turning his full attention to international selection. “At the moment I’m just worried on getting selection to the Waratahs, so my mindset is in staying in the present moment,” Ranawai told reporters. “I’m just trying to push for selection here (Waratahs) and maybe get some more minutes under my belt, and if I get more then we’ll see how it goes.”
The timing of Ranawai’s form matters to Fiji coaches. With the inaugural Nation Championships approaching and injury problems eroding the Flying Fijians’ depth at tight-head prop, Ranawai represents a potential surprise option should he continue to accumulate minutes and maintain his current level. While selectors will invariably weigh experience and international pedigree, Ranawai’s performances in Super Rugby — especially as a prop who can make impact carries and also finish scoring opportunities — will put him on the radar.
Club rugby remains his immediate platform. The Waratahs are due to host the ACT Brumbies at Allianz Stadium in Sydney tomorrow, a high-profile fixture that offers Ranawai another chance to extend his run of appearances and build the kind of consistent game time he says is crucial. The Brumbies match will be watched closely by observers tracking both Ranawai’s progression and the broader supply of front-row options ahead of the Pacific competitions.
Ranawai’s path is notable for its later bloom. At 32, many front-rowers are established internationals or long-term club regulars; Ranawai has instead carved an opportunity through recent Super Rugby form. That he has already converted two tries in the space of a few fixtures suggests an ability to make the most of limited chances near the try line — an attribute coaches value in tightly contested games.
For now the Korovuto native is keeping expectations measured. “It’s been a dream (to play for the Flying Fijians), but at the moment I’m just trying to get some more games under my belt before any exposure to international rugby,” he said. If Ranawai can sustain his current run and the Waratahs continue to give him minutes, the next few weeks could determine whether his Super Rugby break-through is a short burst or the start of a genuine challenge for a spot in Fiji’s ranks.