The students at Rahmatullah Kahn Memorial School got the surprise of their life when their rugby heroes conducted a surprise rugby clinic there yesterday.
Visiting the school, which is located minutes away from Natadola Bay Championship Golf Course which is hosting the Fiji International this week, were Rugby 7s Olympic Gold medalists Osea Kolinisau and Masivesi Dakuwaqa, Vodafone Fiji Rugby 7s player Emosi Mulevoro, Jarryd Hayne and George Gregan.
They couldn’t help but be overwhelmed by the excitement running through the hallways as children, who were meant to be studying for an exam occurring later that day, ran out of their classrooms to meet the players.
The school’s rugby team had the opportunity to play with their idols while the rest of the school watched on. The game was full of fun but had a touch of competitiveness.
“We are out the back here playing a bit of touch footy. Jarryd Hayne seems undefeated so we have had a bit of a rotation policy. The smiles on their faces when we arrived make it all worthwhile,” said Australian rugby legend George Gregan.
The players were hoping to provide an enjoyable experience for the students but also inspire them to achieve their dreams of becoming professional rugby players.
“What you love about Fiji is they remember where it all started so they remember running around school, aspiring to be in that Fiji 7s team,” Gregan said, who will be attending the Fiji International as a Brand Ambassador.
“There is the captain (Osea Kolinisau) coming back to schools and just sharing his experiences with the kids. It’s just special.”