In his professional rugby debut for the Fijian Drua against the Blues, 19-year-old Isikeli Rabitu turns heads.
19-year-old Isikeli Rabitu made waves with his professional rugby debut for the Fijian Drua, facing battle against the tough Blues in Super Rugby Pacific’s season opening. It was an incredible exhibition of teenage ability and drive. For Rabitu, who played fullback and represented his country with distinction, the path from spectator to player has been a strange one. It is an important turning point in his developing career.
Rugby in Schools to Super Rugby Pacific
The path that Rabitu took to become a professional rugby player is truly amazing. He was once a student at Suva Grammar School and has gracefully and resolutely made his way from small-town school competitions to the worldwide arena. Despite being the youngest player on the club, Rabitu’s performance against the Blues demonstrated his skill and potential. It has been said that his presence in the Drua’s lineup against such an experienced team was a “eye-opener,” as it enabled him to assess the caliber of opposition and what is needed to succeed at this caliber.
Growing Both On and Off the Field
Growing Both Inside and Outside of After making his debut, Rabitu recognizes the things he still has to improve, namely his defensive abilities and confidence. Being a member of the Fiji Under-20 team and working with head coach Mick Byrne at Drua will help Rabitu hone his skills even more. The youthful fullback, who sees every game as an opportunity to improve, is ready for more playing time in the 2024 campaign. In the upcoming games, he hopes to play against other elite sides like Moana Pasifika and the reigning champions, the Crusaders.
A Reality Brought to Life
For Rabitu, facing the Blues was the fulfillment of a goal that not too long ago seemed unachievable. It has been an amazing experience for Rabitu to go from being a fan who watched Super Rugby stars on television to actually playing with some of them. This significant achievement is only the start of the young athlete’s incredible career. In addition to becoming well-known for himself after his debut, Rabitu also served as an inspiration to a number of young rugby players in Fiji and elsewhere.
The Super Rugby Pacific competition’s addition of the Fijian Drua has given gifted athletes like Rabitu a chance to show off their abilities on a worldwide scale.
The rugby community will surely be keeping a close eye on Rabitu as he develops and takes on new challenges, eager to see where this bright young star will go in the future.