Australian dual international Lote Tuqiri is soon to be added to the Rugby Town Walk of Fame in Sigatoka.
The 36-year-old, who grew up in the nearby village of Namatakula, will accept the award during the Bayleys Fiji Coral Coast Sevens in January.
Tuqiri says it is a real honor to join several legends of the game.
Tuqiri who played at the highest level for more than 15 years says that coming from the Coral Coast is always nice and is looking forward to seeing his friends and family at the tournament in January.
Waisale Serevi, David Campese, Jonah Lomu, Ben Gollings, Viliame Satala and Karl te Nana are the other names on the Walk of Fame, a Hollywood-style series of plaques on the main street of Sigatoka.
Tuqiri moved to Australia in his teens and joined the Brisbane Broncos as an 18-year-old.
After representing Fiji at the 2000 rugby league World Cup, he played for Queensland and Australia before switching to the Waratahs in 2002, playing in 67 Tests for the Wallabies.
The winger played in two Rugby World Cups, scoring in the final against England in 2003, and also at the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games rugby sevens with fellow Wallabies Scott Fava, Matt Giteau and Chris Latham.
Tuqiri’s wife and three children will accompany the local hero as guests of the Bayleys Fiji Coral Coast Sevens organising committee.
Namatakula which a 30 minute drive from Sigatoka is also the home of current Wallaby centre Tevita Kuridrani, Noa Nadruku and Nemani Nadolo.
It will be represented in the tournament by Coastal Ratu Filise.
Sixteen men’s and sixteen women’s teams will participate in the sixth Bayleys Fiji Coral Coast Sevens from 14th to the 16th of January next year.
