From Freddy Kafoa (1 December 2012)

Rugby Player makes Rotuma proud

by Freddy Kafoa

William Sika Mosese is currently in Apia, Samoa, playing rugby for the Solomon Islands Under 19 team in the IRB Oceania Junior Rugby Championship. William was born in the Solomon Islands and is the son of Fuata and Monica Mosese. His grandfather, Fuata Mosese senior, and Rejieli (Late Akosita’s daughter from Kalvaka, Noa‘tau) migrated to the Solomon Islands in the late 60s and never returned home. William’s father, Fuata Mosese junior, runs a successful surveyors’ firm in the country, Moses & Associates.         

William started playing rugby at an early age after seeing his uncle and namesake, Joe Sika (Tongan), representing the Solomon Islands Senior team in the 90s. His rugby career began while representing Honiara High School in secondary school competition at an early age of 15. Last year, at the age of 17, his skills and knowledge progressed further, while training with the Diesel Rugby Team, which I coach. William played alongside senior players, which boosted his confidence. He is committed to training and can be expected to go a long way in representing the Solomon Islands in the future. This year he represented Selwyn College, and played alongside his cousin Gerdrick (my son) in the secondary school competition. As a trainer for the team, I pushed him to the limits and am glad that he had made the final squad and first run on props for the team.

The team is currently in Samoa where they beat Vanuatu 52 – 5 but lost to the experienced Tongans in the second game. They now have to beat PNG to qualify for the third/fourth playoff position and make history for their country. We are all hoping for good news when the team comes back next week.

With his mum and dad at the airport	Lifting the locks pass against the Tongans