Coming from a family of halfbacks has not deterred Sportsworld Fiji Under-20 rep Noah Rauluni to excel as a flanker.

Rauluni’s dad Jacob is a former Flying Fijian halfback with 55 Test caps under his belt, while his younger brother Mosese is also a former Flying Fijian captain. Their dad Taito is a legendary Flying Fijian halfback.

Jacob started as a flanker while playing for the Australian Schoolboys but it was during their tour to the UK (United Kingdom) in 1991 he was told to play halfback and never looked back from there. The reason Jacob was given the No.9 jumper was because of his dad’s (Taito) reputation as a classy halfback.

Speaking to SUNsports in Suva yesterday (Noah) Rauluni has set his target to become a Flying Fijian in the future.

“My favourite player is Flying Fijian flanker Levani Botia, it’s just awesome watching him play. I grew up playing rugby as early as I can remember like in the under-five team,” he said.

“I got a bit of family who’ve played rugby in the past and that definitely help influence me and I’ve always loved the sport.”

The 19-year-old Rauluni attended school in Brisbane, Australia, at St Joseph Nudgee’s College for three years and graduated in 2023. “I was playing for East Brisbane Tigers rugby club last year.”

Rauluni said he was advised by his parents to work hard for his position in the team.

“They told me to give it a hundred per cent, Fiji is a rugby country and there are lots of boys that want the spot, you have to work hard,” he said.

“I just want to play good footy and show what I can do. Hopefully I get that opportunity.” Rauluni said it was an awesome experience for him to have his cousin Sam Chapman at the U20 camp.

“It’s pretty awesome having family right run next to you on the field. It was awesome meeting uncle, Waisale Serevi. He’s always been nice to me and my family, so it was lovely meeting him,” he said.

“The final goal is to be a Flying Fijian in the future but right now I’m just trying to play good footy for Under-20s.”

Rauluni said one of his main challenges is that he can’t fully speak Fijian well.

“I’m learning, the boys are helping me learn bits and pieces of Fijian as I go along but it’s been awesome,” he said.

“The boys’ talent is incredible as the Fijians are notorious for it but heaps of boys do some freakish stuff every now and then. You see it in person and you just think it’s pretty insane to watch.”

Rauluni said they (overseas based- players) have gelled well with the local players.

“I study civil engineering at QUT (Queensland University of Technology) and it is my second year,” he added.

Feedback: ioane.asioli@fijisun.com.fj