JASA VEREMALUA
Many would have discounted this brilliant rugby sevens player from the small village of Korotogo on the Coral Coast of Fiji's main island Vitilevu.
Despite his stellar record with the Fiji sevens team, being a member of the Gold medal winning team at the Rio Olympics, many of the thousands of Fiji Rugby fans looked past him due to his lack of form.
Whenever the subject about Fiji rugby sevens would come up during family conversations or seating around the grog bowl with friends and relatives, I would often hear people saying that Jasa was not good enough to be in the current 2017- 2018 Fiji sevens team. He had dropped his form and fitness, some said his time was up and some just did not include him when being asked about their Fiji sevens dream team.
He later missed selection for a couple of tournaments, but he later regained his place in the Fiji sevens team to London, where he was once again at his scintillating best.
Veremalua, produced one of the most outrages offloads of the tournament that even the commentators were finding it hard to describe, but most of us knew this was always second nature to him. He made an immediate impact whenever he started or came in as a replacement showing glimpses of his form that has made him a household name among sevens enthusiasts.
Then in the London Sevens Final where Fiji faced the mighty South African Blitzbokke, Jasa came in the second half and brought the rugby crowd in Twickenham Stadium to their feet.
Every rugby player who has ever played the game can sometimes have ups and downs in their carriers but most of them like Jasa can get back on the international scene and shine.
Thank you very much Jasa Veremalua for the commitment, determination and courage shutting up the haters and filling your loyal fans with pride.
