IT took an intercepted pass for Swire Shipping Fijian Drua debutant Isikeli Basiyalo to surge past Western Force defenders, give thanks to the Man above and then score his first try in the Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific competition on Saturday.
Basiyalo stamped his try in the 61st minute after he caught a pass made by Force impact player Kurtley Beale and ran straight for the try-line to extend the 19-7 lead set by the Drua at half-time.
Fans and supporters at Churchill Park were on their feet and cheering as the debutant scored, extending the Drua’s lead in a match where a win was needed to end the ‘Fortress” tenure this season as hosts on a high note.
It was his try that set the Drua in the lead for the remainder of the match, even as the Force added two more tries and a conversion that fell short of a victory in an epic contest that affirmed the notion of “no guts, no glory.”
Basiyalo thanked the Lord for his provision of strength and guidance, and was thankful for the support he received from his relatives that turned up in large numbers to cheer him on.
“I would like to thank the Lord for guiding and protecting me, even as I made my debut today (Saturday),” Basiyalo told reporters after the match.
“I thank Him for giving me the strength.”
The Volivoli, Nadroga speedster was named in the match-day 23 last Wednesday to fill in the vacancy left by wingers Ponipate Loganimasi and Epeli Momo, who are out for the rest of the year due to injury.
In footage released by the club, it showed him being surprised, happy and emotional at being named.
On Friday, a day before the match, he affirmed how tough his role on the field would be however did not back down from the challenge that loomed then.
“I was told on Wednesday (last week) that I will play and I was happy and emotional when they told me; I know it’s not an easy job,” he said.
His rise to Super Rugby Pacific comes after featuring in secondary schools rugby, the Fiji National Rugby League’s Academy, the Drua Development squad, the Fiji Airways Fiji men’s 7s team in Hong Kong last year and now the Drua.
Head coach Glen Jackson saluted Basiyalo for the work displayed on the field.
“I think it was a bit of a shock for him when he was named but I’ve seen the potential in that kid for a long time and I’m just stoked that not only did he play well, but he gets the taste of victory the first time.”
As Jackson shared these sentiments during the post-match press conference, Basiyalo was being showered with congratulatory messages, gestures of appreciation and the love of his relatives in a powerful show of support for a young man who dared to dream.
