The Fijian Drua has officially announced the signing of Flying Fijian utility back Vuate Karawalevu on a full-time contract. The 23-year-old made his debut for the Flying Fijians in the Pacific Nations Cup match against Samoa last Friday, marking him as a double international.
Karawalevu previously represented the Fiji Bati at the 2021 Rugby League World Cup in England at the age of 20. In the match against Samoa, he played as a full-back, scoring a try and making notable contributions to Fiji’s 42-16 victory.
Last season, he played in Super Rugby Pacific with the NSW Waratahs. A former student of Marist Brothers High School, Karawalevu played as first five-eighth for Naitasiri in the 2020 Skipper Cup competition, helping the team reach the grand final.
He later joined the Kaiviti Silktails in the Ron Massey Cup and the North Sydney Bears in the NSW Cup, and he has been part of the Sydney Roosters setup in the NRL.
Karawalevu expressed excitement about returning home and joining the Drua, looking forward to playing for his hometown team. “I feel incredibly excited and blessed to join this new club,” he stated. “It’s an honour to play for my home team, and I can’t wait to give it my all on the field. I’m ready for this new chapter and grateful for the opportunity to represent where I come from.”