Lasarusa Senibale, the esteemed head coach of the Naitasiri under-20 team and assistant head coach for the Fiji U18 rugby team, has passed away at the age of 52. He tragically died on October 3 while in Australia with the Fiji U18 schoolboys team, just one day prior to their scheduled match against the Australian Schoolboys.
The funeral service for Senibale took place at the Centenary Methodist Church, followed by his burial at the new Lovonilase Cemetery, located just outside Suva. During the service, Sale Sorovaki, the operations manager of the Fiji Rugby Union, delivered a heartfelt eulogy, describing Senibale as a person who exemplified fatherly love and was respected for his straightforward character. Sorovaki noted Senibale’s significant contributions to rugby, including being the first Fijian coach to achieve a level three coaching accreditation from World Rugby, highlighting his extensive knowledge and commitment to the sport.
Various tributes flowed during the service, with eulogies delivered not only by the Fiji Rugby Union but also by representatives from the Ministry of Education, the Fijian Teachers Association, his family, and the church. A moving tribute was performed by the Suva Head of Schools Association, who sang “Now Is The Hour (To Say Goodbye)” in remembrance of Senibale’s life.
Senibale’s funeral was attended by officials, including Cabinet ministers Aseri Radrodro and Jese Saukuru, students from Suva Methodist Primary School, where he served as head teacher, and members of the national under-18 rugby team who traveled with him.
He leaves behind a legacy of dedication to the sport and is survived by his wife, Liviana Bula, and their children—Barbara, Kasaya, Lasarusa Dokai Jr., Lasarusa Juju Senibale—alongside his grandchild, Josie Senibale Radaveta.
Senibale’s passing is a significant loss to the Fijian rugby community, and his impact will be remembered by all who had the fortune of working with him. The mourning of his loss serves not just as an acknowledgment of grief but also as a celebration of the lives he touched through his passion for rugby and dedication to coaching young talents. The strong connections formed within the Fijian rugby fraternity during this time of sorrow highlight the supportive nature of the community as they remember one of their own.
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