Rats learn from Fijian adventure
WARWICK Water Rats player Matt Wheatley was delighted to learn from three Fijian players in the second half of his season in A-grade in 2010.
All three played for Navosa in a provincial competition in Fiji and arrived in Warwick mid-season to strengthen the Water Rats.
“They are very experienced and really helped out the younger players,” Wheatley said.
A police inspector in Fiji, Uraia Davu, 35, made his trip to Australia a holiday and enjoyed the experience of playing in the Darling Downs competition.
“I really liked the Warwick welcome and could be back,” Davu said.
Noape Turukawa, 38, and Lekima Drole, 44, both head home this week to more farm work.
After representing Queensland Country in the second row in 2000 during five seasons with the Water Rats, Drole played front row this season.
“I may be back, but not to play,” he said.
“I have coached our team in Fiji.”
In 2000, he saw plenty of the country while on Queensland Country duty with games in Perth, Rockhampton, Sydney and Goondiwindi.
