
ODT Landers Chat: Veveni Lasaqa and Sean Withy
On Landers Chat today, brought to you by Impact Roofing and Plumbing and Temuka Transport, we talk to the most important members of any team - the open sides Sean Withy and Veveni Lasaqa.
Sean tells us about being in the 'naughty chair' and how after being suspended for three weeks you get a week off that for good behaviour.
He also talks through what it was like to captain the Stags to beat Otago in September last year.
Sadly, he sneaks in a shameless plug for his brother Aaron and Varsity.
Veveni tells about growing up in the Bay as a Fijian lad, his rugby story so far and how he's adjusting to life as a Highlander.
He's from Lautoka, so he also tells why no one can beat the Drua there!
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Scoop
4 days ago
- Scoop
'Commitment To Building Bridges Through Rugby' - FRU And China Sign MOU
Fiji and China have signed a rugby deal. Fiji Rakavi Football Union (FRU) trustee representative Jenny Seeto signed the memorandum of understanding with Wang Yun, President of the China Rugby Football Association (CRFA). A statement out of the FRU's Rugby House headquarters in Suva said the MOU focuses on elevating the sport in both nations. "This MOU is more than a document; it is a commitment to building bridges through rugby," Seeto said. "For Fiji, China offers vast potential for competition, career development, and youth training. "For China, Fiji's rugby talent and coaching expertise will accelerate the sport's growth and global reach." Discussions explored mutual interests, including building competitive team frameworks, talent development pathways, and deepening sports diplomacy between Fiji and China. FRU board chairman and a former Flying Fijian, John Sanday, said the agreement is an exciting step for both unions. "We look forward to joint initiatives such as rugby academies, youth exchanges, and high-performance programs that will benefit athletes and communities in both countries," Sanday said. Wang Yun said China is interested in two areas, talent development and grassroots growth. He said they want to utilise Fiji's elite coaching systems to establish a three-tier national team structure in China aimed at building stronger, more competitive teams for international competition. With Fiji's support, the Chinese union plans to develop a mature competitive framework by launching branded events and expanding rugby's reach among Chinese youth and communities. "This MOU is not limited to five years - it is a gateway to a lasting partnership," he said. "Together, we will promote cultural exchange, host joint international events, and create deeper bonds through the language of sport." Fijian coaches have been actively involved with China in the past. Former sevens captain and current Fiji men's head coach, Osea Kolinisau, had two seasons as coach of the China national women's team, alongside another former Fijian rplayer, Setefaco Cakau. Former player Ben Soso is the current coach for Huagan Rugby Club. Soso said they will leverage Huagan Rugby Club's role as a bridge and link to create new opportunities and generate new value for the growth of rugby in both countries. Several Fijian stars had also played rugby in China, including Mariana Talatoka of the Fijiana 7s team, who joined Huagan Rugby in May 2022; and current Fiji men's player Joji Nasova, who played for Huagan Rugby from 2022 to 2023.


Otago Daily Times
28-05-2025
- Otago Daily Times
Selection for ABs next for star No 12?
How do you stop a wine barrel which is rolling down a hill? You don't. You get out of the way, or you get flattened. Plenty of Super Rugby Pacific players have discovered that one this year. Highlanders second five Timoci Tavatavanawai has been the best player in the side all season and that is official. He was named the club's most valuable player at the awards evening earlier this week. The Highlanders co-captain picked up a bunch of other awards but all you need to know is he is hard to tackle, he tackles hard and he is adept at winning turnovers at the ruck. And one more thing — he might be an All Black soon. That is how Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph sees it. "I think Timoci Tavatavanawai has been an outstanding player in every minute of every game," Joseph said when asked about his All Blacks prospects. "Perhaps if we gave him a break, then his rugby, in terms of how he played, and this is no slight on him, could even be better. "So I think he's got massive potential, and he would be in my All Blacks team." The Highlanders have signed the Fijian powerhouse for another two years, and towering lock Fabian Holland has inked a three-year deal. "It's a vote of confidence for us coaches, as well as the club, that players kind of trust our process around developing them into a great rugby player." Tavatavanawai was more measured when assessing his international prospects. "At the moment I'm just focusing on my game every week," Tavatavanawai said. "I keep putting my best foot forward to be up there, that's the focus." The All Blacks were not on Tavatavanawai's mind when he moved over from Fiji. The goal was to help support his family and to cement a position with Tasman in the NPC. Then he got the opportunity to play in Super Rugby Pacific with Moana Pasifika in 2022-23 before moving to the Highlanders last season. This season has been a breakthrough campaign for the robust former winger. His ability to punch holes in the defence and his strength over the ball at the ruck have set him apart from some of the other midfielders in the country. Tavatavanawai has carried the ball more than just about anyone else in the competition — 160 carries. He leads the competition in defenders beaten, swatting aside 64 would-be-tacklers. And he is in the top 10 for offloads. The Highlanders will name their side for their final game of the season today. They play the red-hot Chiefs in Dunedin on Friday. Tavatavanawai was looking forward to demonstrating his skills one more time this season. So are his fans.


Otago Daily Times
28-05-2025
- Otago Daily Times
Millar to start in Highlanders' last game of the season
The Highlanders have resisted the urge to experiment at the end of the season. They wind up their campaign with a home fixture against the red-hot Chiefs on Friday night. The Highlanders fell out of contention weeks ago, so the best they can do is avoid finishing in last place. To do that they will need to secure at least a bonus point and keep their finger's crossed for the Fijian Drua to lose to the Reds in Brisbane on Saturday night. Coach Jamie Joseph has put his trust in more or less the same group. There is just one change to the starting XV. Cameron Millar replaces an injured Taine Robinson (foot) at first five, also lock Tai Cribb retains his spot after Mitchell Dunshea was a late scratching last week. Daniel Lienert-Brown replaces Josh Bartlett on the bench and Sam Gilbert joins the game day 23 as back cover. "Cam gets a start," Joseph said. "He'll want to make amends for, you know, some past performances. He's a good young rugby player. "He'll grow with confidence. And the way to get confidence is by playing big games of footy. So it's a big game of rugby for him." Millar missed a late penalty during the 15-12 loss to Crusaders on Friday which would have pushed the game into extra time. Gilbert will join the Irish club Connacht at the end of the NPC season, so he will get a start from the bench in what will be his last game for the Highlanders. The Highlanders have lost seven games by seven or fewer points this season. The campaign could have looked very different had they managed to reverse a few of those tight results. "I haven't lost confidence in the team. I feel sorry for our team because they work hellishly hard. "But that's footy. There's kind of no fairy tales in sport. "The lessons that we're learning and how to close games and how to execute under pressure are costing us. "So let's hope going forward that doesn't cost us again." The Highlanders have had a boost this week. Co-captain Timoci Tavatavanawai inked a two-year deal and towering lock Fabian Holland signed a three-year contract. Joseph said it was a vote of confidence in the club and the coaching staff. It is Joseph's second stint with the Highlanders as head coach and, while the results have not been as good as he would have liked, he can see progress. "I think what we discuss as a team, and what's really important is what purpose does year one play? "[We've got a] young team, we talk about that. New captains, we've talked about that. And I guess, you know, we're building. "And it's not going to go our way all the time. "The disappointing thing is that we've put ourselves in really good winning positions and then fallen a little bit short. "And so those are hard lessons for the team, but something that we'll take forward in the future for sure." Highlanders: Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, Jonah Lowe, Tanielu Tele'a, Timoci Tavatavanawai (co-captain), Taniela Filimone, Cam Millar, Folau Fakatava, Sean Withy, Veveni Lasaqa, Te Kamaka Howden, Tai Cribb, Fabian Holland, Saula Ma'u, Jack Taylor, Ethan de Groot (co-captain). Reserves: Soane Vikena, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Sefo Kautai, Will Stodart, Michael Loft, Adam Lennox, Sam Gilbert, Thomas Umaga-Jensen.