Fijian rising talent killed by IED in Afganistan

[zimeric]

Prominent Fiji rugby player killed in Afghanistan
January 4, 2011

The first British Army soldier killed in Afghanistan this year was a Fijian who played for the army's rugby union sevens team, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said Monday.

Private Joseva Vatubua, 24, was killed on New Year's Day by an improvised explosive device as he targeted enemy firing positions in the restive southern Helmand province.

Born in Fiji's capital Suva, he joined the British Army in 2007 and was one of the stars of his battalion's rugby team, which won the 2010 Army Community Shield, the MoD said.
Advertisement: Story continues below

Tipped to rise the military ranks, he had also recently begun representing the British Army at rugby sevens.

Fijian colleagues said he had tried out for the island nation's under-21s.

"His scale was colossal; he dominated the front row, dwarfed his machine gun and delivered fiery, martial passion in abundance," said Vatubua's commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Harrison.

Vatubua leaves behind his wife Claudette.

British Defence Secretary Liam Fox said his thoughts were with the Fijian community.

http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/un...104-19efb.html


RIP

[Burgs]

What, the Poms can't even form their own Army these days???

R.I.P. Private Vatubua.

[Sheikh]

The British army has always taken in soldiers from other countries (eg, Gurkhas). For a Fijian, it wouldn't be a bad idea; get trained and promoted within the British army and at the end of his 12 years return to Fiji, sign up to their army and he's pretty much guaranteed to be an officer. Only doesn't work when some bastard goes and kills him.

[palitu]

although knowing fiji, he would be thinking he could run the country one day if he's high enough in their army....

[Sheikh]

although knowing fiji, he would be thinking he could run the country one day if he's high enough in their army....

If I were able, that post would get both a praise and a smote!

[.X.]

Sounds like he would be first pick in the Nazareth First Fifteen

RIP PTE Vatubua

[palitu]

If I were able, that post would get both a praise and a smote!

fair enough too...