For the first time in 16 years, a Fijian referee has been appointed to officiate a final in the HSBC 7s series. Tevita Rokovereni will take on the prestigious role of refereeing the men’s final at the Vancouver 7s, where South Africa will face Argentina.
Previously, James Bolabiu was the last Fijian referee to officiate an HSBC 7s final, which took place back in 2009 at the Hong Kong 7s. Bolabiu, now the High-Performance Referee Manager for Fiji Rugby, expressed great pride in Rokovereni’s selection and described it as a significant milestone for the Fiji Rugby Union. Bolabiu emphasized the advancements that Fijian referees have made, offering a testament to the effective implementation of referee development programs.
Reflecting on his own experiences as a referee, Bolabiu shared, “It’s been a long time, and I know the feeling he is going through right now as I have been there and done it also.” He sees this recognition as a clear indication of the progress achieved through investment in local referee development and remains optimistic about the future. With the current initiatives in place, he believes more Fiji-based referees could be officiating at international matches in the coming years.
This achievement serves not only as a personal victory for Rokovereni but also as an inspiration to both current officials and aspiring referees across the region. It highlights a bright future for Fijian officiating, which is increasingly gaining respect and recognition on the global rugby stage.
In conclusion, Tevita Rokovereni’s selection reflects the unwavering dedication of referees in Fiji and the continuous efforts aimed at enhancing their representation in international rugby. The progress in referee development heralds a hopeful outlook for future opportunities for many aspiring referees.
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