As the clock struck midnight at the Navala bridge in the highlands of Ba, Fijian Cavaliers 7s player Farasiko Tubunanuku bravely waded through rising floodwaters to reach the 2026 McDonald’s Coral Coast Fiji 7s tournament. Originally from Namoli but raised in Navala, the agile halfback faced dangerous currents after coordinating plans with his coach and former Fiji 7s forward Pio Tuwai.
When Tubunanuku received the call to join the team, he relayed to Tuwai that the only way to reach the camp was for someone to pick him up due to the flooded bridge in between. “I spoke with Pio and told him the bridge was flooded. I then asked if he could pick me up between 11:30 pm and midnight,” he recounted. After their conversation, Tubunanuku had dinner and set an alarm to wake him up before his scheduled time.
A video capturing his daring crossing went viral on social media, and when asked about his feelings during the crossing, Tubunanuku stated that faith and determination propelled him forward. “I did not feel scared or worried because I believed the Lord was always laying the plans from the moment I received that phone call,” he explained.
Grateful for the opportunity, Tubunanuku expressed his appreciation for being part of the team. “I thanked my coach Pio and the Lord for opening a new door for me to play in the Coral Coast 7s, and I didn’t expect to be playing here today.”
In his side’s opening pool match against the SRS Henibua team, Tubunanuku showcased his skills by scoring a try, reflecting the success of his incredible journey that began with that midnight crossing. His story is one of resilience and faith, serving as an inspiration to aspiring athletes facing their own challenges.
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