HAD things worked out differently for Jo Nayacavou, he would have been a more qualified driver for his “day job” as a serving soldier in the British Army, and done another tour of duty in Afghanistan. Instead, the Fijian-born forward has become a key part of Scotland’s Sevens rugby set-up, and flies the flag again this week at the Commonwealth Games.
Actually, if things had gone differently, Nayacavou could have been playing for the Olympic champions and tournament favourites in Australia.
“I got as far as the final trials for the under-21s in XVs before I left. That’s still a bad one.
I thought I would have got in. But I’ve now been in Scotland since 2008, I’ve got my wife and my two kids and we’ve never been back since. We’ve loved every minute, except for the cold,” he smiles.
Nayacavou, 32, is still a regular solider with the Royal Highland Fusiliers (2 Scots), having signed up initially for 22 years, although that can be re-evaluated once he has served 12. However, he has marched in a different direction of late, as a Sevens exponent, which came about thanks to a fellow “countryman”.
“Netani Talei is a close friend. We grew up together back home, I was basically his next door neighbour. When he signed for Edinburgh, I was here with 2 Scots and Netani told them he had someone in mind who could play for them.
“When he phoned me, I was doing my driving course getting ready to go away to Afghanistan for the second time. He was like: ‘I think Scotland are hoping you’ll stay.’
“Of course, I was keen to do that, but I had to communicate with my bosses, ask them if they’d be able to pull me out of going away. I like to say that Scotland rugby saved me. I did one tour of Afghanistan, six months in 2010 and 2011 in Helmand Province. It was a good experience.
“I’m still employed by them [the Army] and I’m very grateful for them doing so much for me and giving me time to play rugby. Whenever I go away, the regiment is getting recognised, and to be fair I didn’t finish the driving course so they’re not a driver short!”
While delighted to represent Scotland, it is difficult for Nayacavou to entirely ignore his home nation.
“I’m never nervous when I go out to play for us, Scotland, but I’m still nervous when I watch Fiji play. I’m always a Fiji 7s fan. I’ve played them more than a few times
now and it’s that idea of revenge that comes in.
“I grew up thinking I would represent them, but I didn’t, and I know I’m with Scotland so I want to show them what they’re missing. I’ve still got the respect from them, and that’s why the Fiji and Scotland teams are so close. All the other teams are so jealous because we speak to each other often, we train together, have a beer together after the game.”
However, Champagne is on ice for the Fijians, as after two silver medals, they try to win gold on the Gold Coast.
“That’s what I’ve been telling everyone,” says Nayacavou. “This is the big one for them, because it’s the only medal they’ve not won. They’ve won everything else apart from the Commonwealth Games. Every Games they’ve been to, they’ve come second to New Zealand. This is definitely the big one.”
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