Vunivalu backed by Bagasau community

There is a saying that “there is light at the end of every tunnel”.

With the NRL Grand Final set to take place in Melbourne this Sunday, Storm winger Suliasi Vunivalu will be backed by his family and friends in Bagasau, Toorak who know his life of hardship where at times, daily meals were just tea and cassava.

Vunivalu’s motivation is to work hard and support his father and mother and his five siblings.

Fijivillage caught up with Maika Daveta the father of former Flying Fijians prop Waisea Daveta who just lived side by side to Vunivalu’s house as Vunivalu always called him by the name “ Tutu Marc”.

Vunivalu’s parents are currently in America for work and Daveta is the elder in their barrack organizing a get together for them to watch the NRL final at their home.

Daveta says Vunivalu has made everyone in Bagasau proud as he reflects on what they went through.

In an earlier interview, Vunivalu’s mother Kalesi Vunivalu said she never thought Suliasi will go this far and they struggled a lot to make ends meet and being unemployed was difficult to support their five children.

Kalesi adds that it was an emotional experience every time they watched him play on TV as she recalled his humble upbringing.

Vunivalu attended Nehru Primary School in Toorak and only played soccer at primary school level. He went on to Lelean Memorial School where he started playing rugby before being offered a scholarship to study in New Zealand.

He was snapped up by the Storm after they saw him playing a Super Rugby curtain raiser with his school team at AAMI Park.

Fast forward, he won the NRL Top Try Scorer of the Year with 23 tries so far this season.

The Storm will host the Cowboys at 8.15pm Sunday.