Proud father Setareki Tamanivalu Senior wants his son Setareki Tamanivalu Junior to don the All Blacks jersey and give his Fijian brothers a chance.

“I have requested Junior to try his best to play for the New Zealand team because he has a high chance of playing for them,” he said.

The 54 year old fisherman first realized his son’s talent when he was six years old.

“When I used to play for the village rugby team he used to accompany me till one day I made him train with me when his mum came from nowhere and gave him a hiding.

“I told her to not stop our son from pursuing his dreams especially if he wanted to play rugby but she feared that he would hurt himself because he was a small boy back then,” he said.

Junior was part of the winning Taranaki side in the 2014 ITM cup final against Tasman Makos and will be joining the Chiefs in the next Super Rugby season. He earlier told SUNsports that donning the white jumper was always his dream.

“I would love to come back home to Fiji and represent my home land but they’ve got heaps of quality players already. I’m going to stay here and play ITM Cup and I’m looking forward to representing the Chiefs next season,” Tamanivalu Junior said.

Tamanivalu Senior said he had faith in his son but did not imagine of him travelling out of Fiji.

Twenty-two-year-old Setareki Tamanivalu Junior who is originally from Yasawa-I-Rara and also has maternal links there is famously known for his well skilled performance on and off the field.

“When I visited him early this year his coach kept reminding me of how talented he was in rugby and at his studies as well; I was very proud of him.

“Junior has had his moments where he needed picking up but he always tried hard to get back on track and he has never failed in doing so,” Tamanivula (Senior) said.

Being the only boy in the family with three sisters Junior has always been close to his mum.

“He has always been close to his mum since I was always busy fishing at the Lautoka wharf they had spent most of their time with their mum in the village.

“When I saw the talent Junior had I knew he was going to be a good rugby player with the right support,” the former Lautoka rep said.

Junior is expected to fly into the country today and spend Christmas and New Years with his family.

Feedback: varanisese.nasilasila@fijisun.com.fj