“I will become a better person.”

Those were the words of new find Penrith Panthers flyer Etonia Nabuli to his mum when he was forced to leave school at the age of 17.

Speaking to our sister station Viti FM, Nabuli’s mum Irinieta Vosa said they had to take him out of school when he was still in Form Five after his dad passed away as there was no one to support him.

After he left school in 2005, Nabuli was able to work as a part time electrician in Suva and later secured a permanent job as a hotel porter to support his family.

Nabuli, who is from Malomalo, Nadroga, joined the Penrith Panthers last year after he was recruited on nothing more than a recommendation by Andrew Johns and Brad Fittler who spotted the wing while on holiday in Fiji.

The former Nadroga Navosa Provincial High School student will play alongside experienced players like Brent Kite, Jamie Soward and Peter Wallace.

Nabuli is expected to front up against fellow Fijian Sisa Waqa as the Penrith Panthers takes on the Melbourne Storm in their first match of the NRL Auckland Nines at 7.25 tonight.


Story by: Aliki Bia