Jiuta Wainiqolo’s ascent from a Deans pathway underdog to a star of European rugby is a testament to talent, perseverance and community support. In a message aimed at young players in the Vodafone Deans and Weet-Bix Raluve competition, the Fiji winger urged them to stay grounded and remember the people who stood by them before the world took notice.
Wainiqolo’s own Deans journey began at Ratu Kadavulevu School (RKS) in 2017, a year he recalls vividly for its unlikely triumph. RKS, often overshadowed by rugby powerhouses like QVS, Lelean Memorial School and St John’s College, went all the way to win the Deans U18 trophy that year, defying expectations. “It was my first year in RKS and to represent the school in the U18 team and come out as champions in a clean sweep year, it’s something I will never forget,” he said. The victory was especially sweet given that the same school had not reached the Eastern Zone playoffs the previous year in the under-17 grade.
The bond forged that season, Wainiqolo remembers, was founded on hard work and sacrifice. “The bond we made as a team was unbreakable because we started from the bottom. We sacrificed a lot to get to the top,” he recalled, a sentiment that resonates with many who have followed Deans competition’s growth and its role in Fiji’s rugby pipeline. Earlier in his life, Wainiqolo showed versatility, initially pursuing football before embracing rugby wholeheartedly, inspired by legends such as Vilimoni Delasau. Watching Fiji’s 7s teams in action fueled his dream to wear the white jersey for Fiji and to bring pride to his people.
His career trajectory after Deans reads like a roadmap of Fiji rugby’s rising influence. After his stellar performances with RKS, he earned a place with the Fiji Under-20s in 2018, helping the young squad clinch a championship in Romania against Samoa. A stint with the Cronulla Sharks academy followed in early 2019, where he continued to develop before returning home to join Nabua Rugby Club on the advice of his high school coach. His rising profile led to selection for the Fiji Drua in the 2019 National Rugby Championship, where he debuted and scored his first try. His form also earned recognition from Fiji 7s and Warriors coaches, setting the stage for a string of appearances across 15s and 7s formats.
Wainiqolo’s Olympic moment came in Tokyo, where he played a starring role for Fiji’s men’s 7s team and helped them defend their Olympic gold, finishing as the top try-scorer for Fiji in the tournament. The momentum continued off the field as he signed with Toulon on a three-year deal, before moving to Lyon on another three-year contract that runs through 2028. It’s a journey that mirrors the broader story of Fiji’s rugby export, with more players plying their trade in Europe while keeping their roots connected to the Deans experience.
In addition to his on-field exploits, Wainiqolo remains a vocal advocate for the Deans program. He has spoken about the competition’s ongoing evolution, noting that the level of talent and skill is rising each year and that families and communities play a crucial role in supporting young players as they pursue professional opportunities beyond secondary school rugby.
Key milestones in Wainiqolo’s journey
– 2017: Wins Deans U18 with RKS, a breakthrough season for the school and a sign of things to come.
– 2018: Represents Fiji Under-20s, contributing to a world-stage victory in Romania.
– 2019: Signs with Nabua Rugby Club; earns recognition from national selectors and joins Fiji Drua for the National Rugby Championship, marking his entry into higher-level competition.
– 2020: Showcases talents in the World Rugby Pacific Challenge with the Fiji Warriors.
– 2021: Becomes a cornerstone of Fiji’s 7s setup and earns a spot with Toulon in France.
– 2024/25: Signs with Lyon, solidifying a long-term European chapter through 2028.
Commentary and outlook
Wainiqolo’s story highlights how the Deans pathway acts as a springboard for Fiji’s rugby stars, linking school-level grit with global opportunities. His rise underscores the importance of family and community support in nurturing talent, and it reinforces the message to aspiring players that perseverance, discipline and teamwork can translate into sustained success on the world stage. As more Fiji players shine abroad while remaining connected to their roots at home, the future of Fiji rugby looks bright and full of potential.
Fijian Summary
Na iVakasala oqo e baleta ki na veitokani vakaviti o Jiuta Wainiqolo, dua na winger e vuravura ni rugby. E ȯra mai na Deans pathway ki na liga bula me caka kina nai madigi ni veikacivi vakaveili ena lewe ni rugby: Na 2017 Deans U18 mai RKS, na nonai yaca ena vuravura me vaka mai na Tokyo Olympics, kei na nona vakaitavitaki ki Toulon ka potomu ki Lyon me 2028. E kerea vei ira na gonevuli me rau vakarorogo tiko ki na nodra duavata kei na nodra i valavala ngalongo ena vuli ni rugby. E tukuna tale ga me kerei na matavinaka kei na veitokoni ni vuvale kei namatamu vei ira na veika e balavu na veiqaravi ni Deans me vakalauqataki kina na nodra gole na gonevuli i vuravura. Na i tutu ni talevoni oqo e vakaraitaka na loloma ni Veiqaravi ni rugby mai Viti kei na dina ni Deans me vakatevelvela na nodra wasoma kei na veisure na gonevuli.
Additional value note
– Readers may be interested in a quick timeline graphic showing the Deans pathway to international club rugby as a learning resource for aspiring players.
– Fan interest angle: Wainiqolo’s story can serve as inspiration for communities to continue backing youth rugby programs and school-level competitions that fuel national pride and international success.
Overall, this piece presents a hopeful lens on Fiji rugby’s development ecosystem and its powerful ripple effect from schoolboys to global stages.
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