From the sugarcane fields of Seaqaqa to the international rugby arena, 28-year-old Fijian halfback Frank Lomani’s journey is one of grit, hard work, and a bit of friendly family competition.
Hailing from Nukubalavu in Savusavu, Lomani grew up knowing the value of hard work. His days were often spent in the sugarcane fields, helping his family make ends meet.
It was here that Lomani learned lessons in perseverance that would carry him through his rugby career.
“Those first 18 years of my life back in the village keep me grounded and is what motivates me,” he said.
Lomani’s family travelled to watch his 50th game. (ABC Pacific )
Cutting sugarcane wasn’t just a way to help out, it taught him the importance of pushing through tough times.
“I’ve always said that if you grew up in a sugarcane field you can live anywhere. It’s one of the toughest upbringings,” he said.
“When life hits hard, these are the things that I can say, ‘I’ve been through tougher situations. I can survive this. If I can survive back in Seaqaqa, I can survive anything you know?”
Amid the hard work, he and his cousin, Gabirieli Matanisiga, found moments of lightheartedness. Both had dreams of representing Fiji but in different sports — Lomani in rugby and Gabirieli in football.
They even made a bet on who would wear the national colours first, a wager made more as a challenge to themselves than to each other.
Lomani said cutting sugarcane wasn’t just a way to help out.(ABC Pacific )
Gabirieli began his football career with Labasa FC before moving to Rewa Football Club. Now residing in New Zealand and playing for Wellington Olympic, he’s become one of Fiji’s notable centre-backs.
Despite living miles apart, the bond between the two cousins remains strong.
“We were always trying to outdo each other,” Lomani said.
“Those bets in the cane fields were more than just jokes; they were what kept us pushing forward.
“Seeing him sign to a professional club was emotional because looking back growing up he’s always wanted to be a soccer player and now we’ve both made it.”
Lomani rose through the ranks, starting with the Fijian U20 team and then playing in the Skipper Cup for Nadroga and Naitasiri.(ABC Pacific )
Lomani’s path to international rugby wasn’t easy. With limited resources in his village, he had to make the most of what he had, training on rough fields and balancing family responsibilities.
But his talent quickly became apparent. He rose through the ranks, starting with the Fijian U20 team and then playing in the Skipper Cup for Nadroga and Naitasiri.
His performances earned him spots on the Fijian Warriors and the NRC Drua, where he contributed to their championship win.
Signing to professional teams like the Melbourne Rebels and Northampton Saints only helped his career continue to flourish.
A key moment came in 2017 when he made his test debut for the Flying Fijians against Samoa.
“That debut was everything to me,” Lomani recalled. “It was the moment I realised that all the hard work and all the sacrifices were worth it.”
Another milestone came on March 23, 2024, in Lautoka, when Lomani hit 50 Super Rugby games while playing for the Drua.
It was a proud moment, reflecting on his journey from the local fields of Fiji to the international rugby stage.
He also represented Fiji in the Rugby World Cups of 2019 and 2023 and played for the World Barbarians, cementing his status as a top-tier player.
Off the field, Lomani has other talents as well. He’s a skilled singer and guitarist, often bringing his teammates together with his music. It’s a side that shows his personality beyond rugby — grounded, joyful, and deeply connected to his roots.
“I know my family are proud of where I am right now and what I’ve been through. I’m grateful that I get paid to do what I love as a job you know?” he said.
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Posted 1h ago1 hours agoThu 31 Oct 2024 at 10:58pm, updated 1h ago1 hours agoThu 31 Oct 2024 at 11:06pm
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