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Timoci Tavatavanawai: An inspiring journey to All Blacks stardom

By Elenoa Turagaiviu , PMN Timoci Tavatavanawai with his mother Melania Raqina, left, and his late father, Taitusi Tabaleka. Photo: PMN / Melania Raqina From humble beginnings to rugby stardom, Timoci 'Jim' Tavatavanawai's path has been marked by resilience, discipline, and fortitude. Navigating financial hardship, moving abroad, and coping with his father's death, Tavatavanawai showed remarkable strength in achieving his childhood dream. At only 27 years old, he is the only player born in the Pacific Islands named in the All Blacks squad for the upcoming 2025 Lipovitan-D July Three-Test Series against France. New Plymouth-born Du'Plessis Kirifi, of Sāmoan and Tokelauan heritage, is the other Pacific player named in coach Scott Robertson's side on Monday. Tavatavanawai's proud mother, Melania Raqina, from Vatani Village in Kaba, Bau, in the Tailevu Province, was ecstatic upon hearing the news. She told PMN News that she wished her late husband could see their son's achievement. "When I received the call that Jim's name was announced, I felt so emotional thinking about my late husband and how this news should have been shared with him," Raqina says. "Although I am Jim's greatest supporter, my husband made sure that everything Jim needed for rugby was available. "I wish he were still around so we could share the good news of our son's achievement and celebrate together." There was a grand celebration in their village after the announcement. "We were early awaiting his call, and when he did, his siblings wanted to talk with him first," Raqina says. Timoci Tavatavanawai with his biggest supporter, his mother Melania Raqina. Photo: PMN / Melania Raqina "When I spoke with him, I told him how proud I was of him and that I would always support him wherever his rugby career took him." As the third of nine children, Jim was raised in a typical Fijian family in his father's village of Naikawaga, Namara, also in Tailevu. He began his primary education at Vugalei District School, moved to Kaba District School, then to Namara District School, and eventually joined Queen Victoria School for his high school years. Raqina says that while Jim never expressed his desire to play rugby, they could see his passion for the sport. "He would walk or run several kilometres just to get to rugby training and then back home," his mother says. "His father was a farmer, and I stayed home. Because of our financial situation, Jim knew better than to ask for bus fare to attend the training. But he never missed a day. "That's when he knew his determination and commitment to playing rugby, so we did what every parent would do: we got behind him and showed him our full support." Timoci Tavatavanawai, of the Highlanders, takes on the Chiefs' defence in their Super Rugby Pacific match in Hamilton on 19 April 2025. Photo: Jeremy Ward/Photosport According to his mother, Jim's most-prized possession was his rugby boots, and he never went anywhere without them. "He was at QVS and had asked us for a rugby boot, specifically a Mizuno-brand boot, which cost $105 at the time," she says. "At that time, $105 was not a small amount, given our family situation where I sold seafood and other root crops at the market to support our family. "I bought it without my late husband's knowledge and hid it at home, waiting for Visiting Sunday at QVS to give it to Jim. He was so overjoyed." His parents never missed a game, ensuring they were there to encourage and support him on and off the field. Timoci Tavatavanawai and Levi Aumua, of Tasman, with the Ranfurly Shield after the side beat Hawke's Bay in Napier on 7 September, 2024. Photo: Aaron Gillions/Photosport "Sometimes I would still be selling at the market when parents from Jim's school would call for us to come watch the game, and sometimes some would turn up in their vehicles to take us to where Jim would be playing," she says. "I wanted to be there, on the ground, along the sidelines, cheering him on and letting him know we were there to support him. "That same support remains. I am his biggest supporter. I will always support him in whatever path rugby takes him." Timoci Tavatavanawai playing for Moana Pasifika against the Highlanders in a Super Rugby Pacific match at Mt Smart Stadium in Auckland on 31 March 2023. Photo: Brett Phibbs/Photosport Tavatavanawai represented Tailevu in Kaji Rugby, the primary school competition, and was part of the QVS Under-18 team that won the Deans Trophy in 2016 and toured Japan. "Jim went on to represent Fiji in the U18 schoolboys team and the Fiji U20," Raqina says. "Around that time, he moved to New Zealand and made his debut for Tasman Mako in 2017. "He was also selected that year for the Crusaders' extended squad and later for the Highlanders." A delay in renewing his visa required Tavatavanawai to temporarily return to Fiji before the issue was resolved. Timoci Tavatavanawai and Sevu Reece walking off the field at halftime during their Super Rugby Pacific match in Christchurch on 23 May. Photo: John Davidson/Photosport "I was shocked when he called saying he was in Nadi and that his visa was going to expire soon," Raqina says. "When the club found out, they did all the necessary paperwork for his visa so he could return." In 2022, Tavatavanawai joined the Moana Pasifika club in their inaugural season in the Super Rugby Pacific competition. In December of the same year, while arranging logistics for his father to come to New Zealand to watch him play, Tavatavanawai suffered the heartbreaking loss of his father. Timoci Tavatavanawai's mother Melania Raqina at Go Media Stadium, Auckland in May, 2022 watching her son play professional rugby for the first time. Photo: Moana Pasifika/Facebook Due to Covid-19 border restrictions, he was unable to travel to Fiji to bury him. "He went through a very difficult time, and the Moana Pasifika management got in touch with me and arranged for my trip over to New Zealand to visit him," his mother says. "Words cannot describe the feeling when we finally hugged. He needed it, I needed it. The passing of his father was hard on all of us. I think my being there helped him a lot." In 2022, Timoci Tavatavanawai scooped the Tuifa'asisina Sir Bryan Williams Back of the Year and the Maui Award for Attacking Player of the Year for Moana Pasifika. Photo: Moana Pasifika/Facebook According to Raqina, her son's inclusion in the All Blacks squad is a testament to his resilience and dedication to achieving his dream despite his setbacks. "He called me two weeks ago and said he wanted to come to Fiji, but he was waiting for the 23rd when the announcement was going to be made," she says. "He said he'd come home for a break if he didn't make the squad. But I told him to have faith that he will make the squad." Raqina says they were anxiously awaiting the announcement at home when a relative from Auckland called them to say Tavatavanawai had made the squad. "When Jim finally called, I could only say thank you, my son, you've made. I also wished him all the best in his first test, reassuring him of my endless support. I expect to be at the stand, watching him play his first test." The All Blacks play France in their first test on 5 July in Dunedin. In an interview with the media after the announcement, Tavatavanawai thanked his mother for her unwavering support throughout his rugby career. "Thank you, Mum, for your support. Thank you, Mum, for your love. (Vinaka vakalevu Na na veiqaravi. Vinaka vakalevu na loloma Na.)" "It is my prayer that the family be blessed always. (Masu tu ga me na sobu tiko na veivakalougatataki ena vuvale) ." -This article was first published by PMN .