Words by Tom Connor
Born in Levuka, Fiji, on 7 January 1992, Sefanaia Naivalu started his rugby with the Ovalau Rugby Club in his native country before moving to Australia at the beginning of 2014 with the Rugby Plus Program. It was here that he joined the Box Hill Broncos in Victoria’s local Club tournament, the Dewar Shield. Starting the season as a relatively unknown entity, it didn’t take long for the man they call ‘Sefa’ to make a name for himself.
A powerful outside back with electric feet and pace to match, Sefa finished as the leading points and try scorer in the Dewar Shield after crossing the chalk 17 times. It was this relentless ability to find the line that saw his club side go from winless wooden spooner’s in 2013, to beaten Grand Finalists the following year.
The undeniable star of Victorian Club Rugby, Sefa was rewarded with selection in the Melbourne Rising for the inaugural NRC competition. It only took the flying Fijian three games and four tries to create history, when the Melbourne Rebels offered him a two year Super Rugby contract.
Putting pen to paper and realising his dream had come true, Sefa became the first Victorian Club Rugby player to sign with the Melbourne Rebels. The deal also saw him become the first player to win a Super Rugby contract directly from the NRC.
Lightning quick for his daunting 94kg frame, Sefa has a personal best 100m time of 10.50. Slotting seamlessly into the Rebels professional Rugby environment, Sefa has featured heavily for the side in his debut season.
It couldn’t have been a more intimidating Round One for Sefa and the Rebels, facing a baptism of fire against the Crusaders in Christchurch. Coming from the bench in the second half, Sefa made his Super Rugby debut as the Rebels toppled the most successful team in Super Rugby history. The following week he introduced himself to the defending Champion Waratahs when he crossed for his first Super Rugby try.
Having already forced his way in to the starting XV, the future looks bright for Sefa Naivalu. It was just over 12 months ago that he was running around in Victorian Club Rugby, and having accomplished so much already in 2014, we can only wonder how far Sefa can go in 2015.
