Timoci Tavatavanawai with young Fijian fan Seilala Mapusua Nabalagi at the Forsyth Barr Stadium after a Super Rugby Pacific clash this year. Photo: Supplied
Fiji-born Timoci Tavatavanawai has been named in the All Blacks following consistent performances in this year's Super Rugby Pacific competition.
The leader of the Fijian community in Dunedin, Eric Nabalagi and Fiji Rugby Union board chairman John Sanday said Tavatavanawai has proven himself and deserves his inclusion.
Tavatanawai is one of five new players in the squad named by head coach Scot Robertson.
The others are Chiefs' hooker Brodie McAlister, Chiefs prop Ollie Norris, Highlanders lock Fabian Holland and Hurricanes loosie Du'Plessis Kirifi.
Also named as an injury-cover is Crusaders number eight Christian Lio-Willie. Both Kirifi and Lio-Willie are of Samoan heritage.
In a statement to RNZ Pacific yesterday, former Flying Fijian Sanday said Tavatavanawai has achieved his dream.
"Well done and congratulations to Timoci Tavatavanawai on reaching the pinnacle of his rugby dream by becoming an All Black," Sanday said.
"All the very best."
Timoci Tavatavanawai (left) with the Fijian community in Dunedin earlier this year. Fijian community leader Eric Nabalagi is on the right (black tee shirt). Photo: Supplied
Otago University staffer and the Fijian community leader down south, Nabalagi said Tavatavanawai (known as "Jim") was the name he wanted to hear during Monday's All Blacks announcement.
"I am very proud and excited for Jim. He had a great season," Nabalagi said.
"Jim brought that Bula Flying Fijian flavour into this year's Super Rugby competition that everyone gravitates to."
He said Tavatavanawai can kick, can carry, can tackle and jackle - steal the ball from a tackled player at the breakdown - at the same time.
"He does it with gracefulness, with no arrogance all the time. He is a game changer and who wouldn't want him in their team?"
Nabalagi said the community members celebrated Tavatavanawai's achievement, adding the player is loved "because he is so friendly, and a very down-to-earth guy when you meet him in the community".
Tavatavanawai claimed the Highlanders fans' player of the year award this year.
Timoci Tavatavanawai. Photo: © Photosport Ltd 2025 www.photosport.nz
Nabalagi said it would be interesting to see if Robertson will give him game time against the French in Dunedin in their first test on 5 July.
"I reckon he will be one that draws the crowd next Saturday against the French," Nabalagi said.
"I am sure every talanoa (story) in town, supermarkets and even every grog (kava) session will be about the 'jackler'.
"I am just so happy for his mum and his family, team-mates and not forgetting all those who were part of his journey. Here at Otago - we say 'when one graduate, the whole village graduates'."
Nabalagi said Tavatavanawai's achievement is an example "for young Fijians playing rugby in New Zealand, that great 'character' on and off the field can take you to higher places".
"It means everything"
Flying Fijians head coach Mick Byrne had wanted Tavatavanawai for Fiji national duties but the former Queen Victoria School student from the Tailevu-based all-boys college in Fiji had indicated he was keen to chase his All Black dream.
The player said he was over the moon, with his selection still sinking in, adding that all the sacrifice made over the years has paid off.
"It means everything," he told the media after the squad annoucement.
"I left [home] when I was 16. My brother and sister were about 13 and I've missed a crucial part of their growing up. All that sacrifice comes up to this moment, so it's pretty special."
Tavatavanawai thanked his late dad, his mum and family for their support.
He said the first step of making it into the squad is exciting.
"I was doing some gardening at home and I saw the missed call from Razor [Robertson]," he said.
All Black debutants from left: Du'Plessis Kirifi, Fabian Holland, Timoci Tavatavanawai. Photo: Andy Jackson/Getty Images
"Just called him straight away and he told me the news.
"It means a lot for me and my family, especially coming over from Fiji with a dream and goal that my old man set for myself, and to know he is watching from above is just awesome."
He said he had to learn the tricks of playing inside centre during the season under Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph, and believes that will be a big plus for him as he begins his All Blacks career, with the opportunity to play both inside or out on the flanks as a winger.
"At the start it was hard trying to know the skills around it, especially coming from the coaches that I will be playing wing and the next minute you're playing 12," he said.
"You just go along as long as you are on the field playing and performing."
Tavatavanawai joins fellow Fiji-heritage wingers Sevu Reece and Emoni Narawa in the squad, - all three former students of QVS in Fiji.
Tavatavanawai and Narawa were also at QVS at the same time, before they both left for New Zealand.
"Hell of a team"
Coach Robertson said it's always a challenge to pick the best players in the country.
"You look through the whole season; you look for reliability, the ability to keep turning up, their skill sets under pressure, how they complement the group," he said.
"It's a hell of a team."
All Black debutants (L-R) Du'Plessis Kirifi, Fabian Holland and Timoci Tavatavanawai talk with media during the New Zealand All Blacks 2025 Squad Announcement at Coastal Rugby Club. Photo: Andy Jackson/Getty Images
On the new players he said it is a particularly special day for them.
"These players have all impressed us with their talent and work ethic and have earned their opportunity to be part of this All Blacks squad," he told the media.
"We know that each of these players possesses the ability to make their mark in the black jersey and we look forward to working with them over the coming weeks."
Unfinished business
Kirifi, who joins former Hurricanes captain Ardie Savea in the squad, said he was contemplating leaving for overseas opportunities at the beginning of the year but wanted to stay to complete unfinished business.
"I guess I had a big decision to make at the start of the season about whether I was going to stay in New Zealand or head overseas, and part of that decision was around fulfillment and unanswered questions," Kirifi revealed after the announcement.
"My partner, myself and my family felt like I hadn't really given it my all yet and I would be leaving with some questions unanswered.
Du Plessis Kirifi of the Hurricanes. Photo: Elias Rodriguez / www.photosport.nz
"We know we made the right decision to stay, and obviously part of that was to become an All Black, and to do so, I had to fully commit.
"Whether or not it happened, we just hope that I would just continue to grow as a young man and as a rugby player. So today's a pretty special moment for me and my family, on the back of all of that."
Kirifi said his family were overjoyed with a lot of tears shed when the announcement was made, something he believes the other new players also went through.
"Just extremely happy for me and the rest of us. We've got all amazing friends and families and the people who have supported us along the way," he added.
His new All Black mate Tavatavanawai said Kirifi has been an outstanding player during the Super Rugby Pacific season.
"Watching him lead the Hurricanes this year showed how much he has been working and he has been rewarded."
The All Blacks squad will assemble in Auckland on 25 June to begin preparations for the first test against France on 5 July in Dunedin.
That will be followed with tests in Wellington and Hamilton the following weekends.
