Naibena impresses at ANZ Marama Champs

Suva winger Adivika Naibena is turning heads at the ANZ Marama Championship with an exceptional performance in the last few rounds.

The 26-year-old returned from an injury after being away for nearly a year.

This did not stop her from pursuing her rugby dreams which have also landed her employment.

Naibena is in her fifth year playing rugby, first joining the Marist Sea Hawks and then the Naitasiri Womens team.

“I was looking for a job and then I saw that they were doing trials for the Policewomen’s team,” she said.

“I knew it was God’s plan because I really needed a job and now, I am a special constable in the Fiji Police Force.”

Naibena said she was never interested in playing rugby until she met former Fijiana Drua hooker Jiowana Sauto who pushed her to try out.

“I was schooling at the Fiji National University under the Bachelor of Commerce program and Jio was taking Sports Science, where she introduced me to rugby.”

The Nakorosule, Naitasiri native is thankful that rugby has opened many doors for her, and now she knocks on the Fijiana Drua door.

She said “I am hoping to get on the national squad, I was part of the extended squad but have never made it to the final team so I am working hard through the Marama Champs to catch the eye of selectors.”

The ANZ Marama Championship is on a break this week and the semi-final will be held on June 3rd.

Namosi is still at the top of the table after a tough match against Navosa on Saturday. Namosi sits with 32 points while Suva follows closely with 28.

Navosa has dropped down to third place with 25 points after a 5-19 loss against table leaders.

In fourth place is Yasawa with 24 points, Nadi holds the fifth spot with 16 points and Nadroga is one point behind with 15 points.

Tailevu and Rewa are in seventh and eighth place respectively with one point each.