Three years, three clubs: Isi Naisarani long road to Wallaby gold
It took three years and the same amount of Super Rugby clubs for Isi Naisarani to finally realise dream. But the Fiji-born backrower’s journey the Wallabies started long before he landed in Australia.
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Fijian newcomer Isi Naisarani is determined not to waste his backrow shot after waiting three long years to be eligible for the Wallabies.
There is always a buzz of excitement around a potential No.8 solution for the Wallabies because it’s been so long since the ideal mix of skills filled the jersey.
The raw material is there when you have a 110kg frame, an appetite for more than a dozen ball-carries a game, graft in tight, and lineout size.
He is yet to play a Test which is why coach Michael Cheika almost certainly will blood him against South Africa in Johannesburg on July 20 to build his readiness for the World Cup.
Naisarani, 24, is no fuss and motivated.
“For me, hard work is No.1 to show the coach that I want to be in the 23 when the first Test comes up,” Naisarani said.
“It’s a great honour to be part of this squad.
“I’ve waited so long, three years, to be qualified (residentially), gone to three different clubs and it’s all about sticking to my goal of playing for the Wallabies.”
His 43-game resume from Super Rugby is invaluable, especially because it meant practising running lines off Test halfback Will Genia at their Melbourne club this season.
“That work after training with Willy G definitely helped develop my game, and smokin’ players with big hits is something I’m trying to get more into my game,” Naisarani said.
The tall son of a roadworker might have just been another unfulfilled barefoot talent in his village of Naqali, north of Suva, but for his supportive uncle Jesoni and aunt Vive.
“It’s a very long story and I would always tell myself that coming to Australia meant opportunities I wouldn’t get at home,” Naisarani said.
“When I was in my village, I was just a kid throwing a plastic ball around in touch rugby with the other boys.
“My aunt and uncle live in Brisbane, saw me play a school game in Fiji, talked to mum and dad about giving me opportunities in Australia, and did all the visa stuff.”
It wasn’t a hard sell to a teenager already with positive vibes for Australia.
“I’d always loved watching the Wallabies from that era of Gregan and Larkham when I was living in Fiji,” Naisarani said.
The shy youngster landed at Souths’ Colts at 19 in 2014 and returned to make a bigger bang in 2016 when he was impressive for Brisbane City in the National Rugby Championship.
The Reds could only offer him a minor level deal, so he was off to Perth when the Force pounced with a full contract.
“The Reds wanted me but I was still on the visa (ineligible for the Wallabies) so I’m not sure what happened there,” Naisarani said.
“I’ve always looked up to every Fijian who plays Super Rugby because I wanted to be like them.”
Now, he can dream of being a Test player just like Samu Kerevi, Tevita Kuridrani and Marika Koroibete.
Originally published as Three years, three clubs: Isi Naisarani long road to Wallaby gold
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