The odds were stacked against him to be in the Flying Fijians 30 member squad for the Rugby World Cup.

For lock forward, Leone Nakarawa the decision to resign from the Fiji Military Forces to be eligible for selection in the team to the Rugby World Cup was one of the toughest choices he has ever made in his life.

It was between representing the nation in the sport he loves and the organisation which spotted the talent he had and gave him the break.

The man from Kadavu did not play rugby when he grew up in Vatukoula and attended Tavua College but he took up the sport when he joined the Army when he was just 18 years of age.

The 23 year old stood out in the trials to select the 50 member squad to prepare for the World Cup and was not selected as he was a member of the RFMF but coach, Samu Domoni Jnr later drafted him in the squad.

He forced his way to the 35 member squad that was announced but missed the trip to New Zealand for the Test against the All Blacks last month.

Nakarawa said that leading up to the naming of the final 30 member squad, it was a difficult time knowing he will miss the selection because of travel sanctions but he had to make the call which he believes the Military understood as they have wished him the best for the world cup.
 
Now he looks forward to setting foot in New Zealand for the first time and playing against the best from other nations who he always watched as a young boy.