Known as “Lailai” among his rugby mates which is a direct “I Taukei” translation of his surname, Nicky Little holds many records in the Flying Fijians history books.

With just four days remaining before the 2011 Rugby World cup kicks off, Little will become the first Fijian player to play in his 4th Rugby World Cup.

Little holds the record of 652 points at Test level, the most scored by any national rep and has also made the most test appearances, standing at 65.

He was once the youngest member of the Fiji team, when he made his debut at 19 against South Africa in 1996.

But in this RWC, he is the oldest in the 30 member team as he will celebrate his 34th birthday on the 13th of this month.

Little was born in NZ but started his rugby career when he attended primary school in Western Australia before moving back to Waikato to attend Te Awa-mutu College.

It was here that his teacher moved him from prop to fly half because of his ability to kick, before his uncle Lawrence Little, who is a former national rep - invited him to join Fiji in 1996.

For Little, this was a special moment in his life, it was at a time where Fiji rugby was still in the doldrums after failing to play in the 1995 RWC and for someone who was still young with a long way to go in his career, he did not regret the decision he made.
 
Little has played under coaches, Johnstone, Mac Macallion, Wayne Pivac and Ilivasi Tabua.

He returned to Fiji rugby again for the trials this year and played in the PNC when many big names decided to move on, however Little believes he still has something to offer.

His root to Fiji is through his grandmother who was from Yadua in Nadroga.

After 15 years of putting his body on the line, Little’s message is still the same for this RWC.