Celebrating legacy: Maestro hails fellow Fijian honoured in Pasifika Hall of Fame

Sevens rugby legend Waisale Serevi says being inducted into the Pasifika Rugby Hall of Fame (PRHF) signifies recognition that extends beyond our home.

The 56-year-old maestro, who hails from the province of Lomaiviti in Fiji, describes the honour as feeling like a celebration upon returning home.

“I have received a lot of awards, right up to the World Rugby Hall of Fame, but to be inducted into the Pasifika Rugby Hall of Fame feels like a child who has gone places and is returning to his home and being recognised for all he’s done,” Serevi says

Serevi, the greatest sevens rugby player, is the first Fijian inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame and the Pasifika Rugby Hall of Fame. That was last year.

The Pasifika Hall honours rugby legends who have significantly contributed to the legacy of Pasifika rugby on the global stage.

Serevi says to be acknowledged and honoured by Pasifika rugby is "truly humbling".

“When you’ve travelled places and then you are inducted to the Pasifika Rugby Hall of Fame, you get a sense of peace knowing that your service to your country has been recognised, but it’s not recognised by your country, but by the whole Pacific.”

Speaking to PMN Fiji after the induction of former Fijian rugby 15s legend Seremaia Baikeinuku (Bai), into the PRHF last week, Serevi says the award not only recognises and celebrates achievements on the field but also honours contributions to the community beyond rugby.

He highlights Bai's remarkable impact on the sport. Bai's professional rugby career spanned 16 years, including stints in New Zealand, Japan, England, and France.

Fijian Drua co-captain Tevita Ikanivere wins the Jonah Lomu Best Player of the Year Award. Ikanivere is pictured with his wife and child. Photo/Waisale Serevi/Facebook

After retiring in 2016, he returned to Fiji to launch the ‘Be An Inspiration’ (BAI) programme to encourage and develop young Fijians in rugby.

Serevi praises the BAI programme for helping children of all ages find their pathways in rugby, with some even advancing to play overseas.

“That is why he was given this award - a well-deserved award, especially since he is running the programme by himself with very little support.

“To see him on that stage being inducted, I was so proud - proud that a son of Fiji gets to receive this prestigious honour.”

In response, Bai expressed his gratitude for being honoured among other great names in Pacific rugby.

“I didn’t expect this,” he told PMN Fiji after receiving the award. “It was a surprise for me, especially since it has been years since I retired from playing rugby. I am extremely grateful to Pacific Rugby for this.”

Bai's rugby journey began when he dropped out of school at 16. His career took off after a pivotal decision during his first international outing 27 years ago.

“I never once dreamed that I’d represent Fiji one day. When I was 19 years old, in 1998, I was part of the Fiji team that went to play in Zimbabwe. On the eve of our return to Fiji, I did a lot of soul searching.”

Reflecting on his upbringing, Bai says that employment opportunities were scarce and peer pressure was prevalent.

“I was asking myself that night, what would my life be like when I return to Fiji? I knew I would never be able to find work as I had no qualifications, and I also knew I would never be able to return to the village to farm. So, I made up my mind to keep training.”

He also made a commitment to avoid alcohol, a vow he has upheld. “After that tour, I concentrated on training, and in 1999, I secured my first contract and then continued to play until I retired in 2016.”

He says the idea behind the BAI programme emerged from his own experiences, growing up in an environment where unemployment was rampant and support was lacking.

Men and women rugby winners at the Pasifika Rugby Hall of Fame awards night in Auckland. Photo/Pasifikahof/Facebook

“Many times, there is no hope, no support. I have experienced this, and when I went back, I tried to teach these things to the young ones.

“It’s not necessarily my aim to ensure they reach the national team or to join the Fijian Drua or go overseas but to ensure they are strong individuals and can enjoy a better quality of life.

“I have always told them, we can’t all make it to the national team. In a nutshell, I am using rugby to bring about a change and a better life for our young people.”

Bai is currently the attack coach for the Flying Fijians - Fiji's national 15s rugby team.

Meanwhile, Serevi has praised Super Rugby Pacific's Fijian Drua co-captain Tevita Ikanivere, who received the Jonah Lomu Best Player of the Year (2024) Award.

Serevi says that Ikanivere is a ‘home-grown’ talent, establishing himself as a force on the field. “Last year and this year, he has been one of the firm foundations for the Fijian Drua.”

Waisale Serevi with Fijian rugby league great Petero Civoniceva, left, and the sevens maestro with Wallace Sititi, who received the Waisale Serevi Breakthrough Men’s Player of the Year award. Photo/Waisale Serevi/Facebook

The sevens maestro says he is proud to see two more Fijians recognised on the Pasifika rugby stage.

“I was touched, sitting beside the stage and watching Ikanivere go up to get his award and speak and seeing Seremaia Bai get up on the stage, I was so proud. I thank God for having two more Fijians up on that stage; they both deserve it.”

This marks only the second year that the Pasifika Rugby Hall of Fame Induction with Special Awards was held, and Serevi is optimistic that more Fijians will share the same spotlight in the future.