The boy from Fiji who grew into a Coast phenom

He’s the flying Fijian who has taken Coast by storm as the competition’s most electrifying player, but Sami Vereniki was once considered too small for the code

Samisoni Vereniki is the Caloundra Lighthouses x-factor who is tipped to be a sensation again in 2020. Photo Patrick Woods / Sunshine Coast Daily.

RUGBY UNION: He’s the flying Fijian who has taken Sunshine Coast by storm as the competition’s most electrifying attacker, but there was a time when Sami Vereniki was considered too small for the code.

Vereniki can run the 100m in under 12 seconds and has a well-built frame from hard days as a fencing contractor, but up until his late teens his mum didn’t allow him to play contact rugby.

Growing up in Suva, Fiji, Vereniki was forced to watch teams train on the opposite field with himself confined to play Sevens Rugby or touch footy.

Caloundra’s Sami Vereniki dives over for a try. Photo: Warren Lynam

“I was a small kid, the tiniest in my family, so mum never let me play,” Vereniki said.

“One day I was playing touch while the real team was training and the coach asked me to come over and defend a set piece move.

“I was only 57kg I think but I must have done OK because the coach asked me to play inside centre that weekend. Inside centre at 57kg.

“The weekend after he wanted to put me in first grade. Mum wasn’t too happy.”

Since moving the Sunshine Coast in 2014, Vereniki was a one dimensional player.

He was handed the fullback reigns by former Lighthouses coach Brad Tronc, whose instructions were simple.

“He (Tronc) would always just say ‘run’,” Vereniki said.

“But in the past few years I have been able to build up other skills.

“I know when to pass the ball or hold it and draw the defender in.”

Samisoni Vereniki is the Caloundra Lighthouses x-factor. Photo Patrick Woods / Sunshine Coast Daily.

His current coach Geoff Ingram has noticed the subtle change work wonders on his backline.

“The past few years he has come a long way too. He isn’t trying to win games on his own anymore. Now he brings others into the game and it’s paying dividends,” Ingram said.

“He has both speed and power, more speed because he is a lean guy but still very strong. He is blessed with those Fijian genetics.

“He wouldn’t be the fastest player in the comp but very close. And he has such good footwork which makes him so elusive. He’s not the easiest guy to tackle put it this way.”

Should community rugby recommence in July, the Lighthouses will be looking for the attacking brilliance of Vereniki once more.

In recent years Sami Vereniki has added ball playing to his bag of tricks.

“He is our x-factor no doubt. He can create something out of nothing and turn a game,” Ingram said.

Vereniki, who has been slaving away at his home gym in the backyard, has put on five kilograms in lockdown, but retained his speed.

“I have never been this fit before,” the 26-year-old declared.

“And I am much stronger than last year too. I am so excited for the season.”

To the rest of the competition, you’ve been warned.

Originally published as