Taqele Naiyaravoro happy with decision to switch from Wests Tigers to Waratahs

TAQELE Naiyaravoro could renew an old Fijian school battle with Henry Speight should the Brumbies win through to face the Waratahs.

Taqele Naiyaravoro after NSW Waratahs training at Moore Park, Sydney. pic mark evans

TAQELE Naiyaravoro only made the switch from League to Union three months ago, but the Fijian winger looks set to play for the Waratahs in next weekend’s Super Rugby semi-final.

And he could come up against a former school rival should the Brumbies qualify this weekend.

Naiyaravoro, who was signed by the Waratahs from Wests Tigers back in April, played union for Suva Grammar School in Fiji, where he often faced Brumbies winger Henry Speight.

But that was before Taqele changed his position to the wing.

“He was my senior back in Fiji at school,” Naiyaravoro said of Speight.

“I was playing up against him, but I was playing as a forward in the back row.”

The 23-year-old says watching Fijian wingers “doing their thing” in union helped make his decision to switch codes, but admits it was a challenge joining the Waratahs halfway through their Super Rugby campaign.

“The first game was a bit hard - getting back in front of a massive crowd,” he said.

“The second game was hard too, but coming into my third and fourth the confidence came and I felt a lot better.

“It is a challenge, but thanks to Michael Cheika for just filling me into everything and giving me a chance. They’ve been doing really well. I wasn’t here when they started, but I’m thankful they welcomed me to the team.”

Naiyaravoro is signed to the Waratahs until the end of next season and he is confident he made the right decision to switch codes.

He scored his maiden Super Rugby try against the Highlanders, helping the Waratahs wrap up the minor premiership with a thumping win.

“I felt like coming back to union and I had the opportunity from the Waratahs, so I just took it,” he said.

“I feel good. I feel welcome by the boys too, so I’m happy with the decision I made.”

Originally published as Taqele Naiyaravoro happy with decision to switch from Wests Tigers to Waratahs