Fiji sits in Pool C at the Rugby World Cup with Australia, Wales, Georgia and Portugal and are the most likely to cause a tournament upset.
The Flying Fijians kick off their campaign with a match against the Welsh on the 11th of September and if they win that will gain extraordinary confidence and could beat anyone in the pool.
In the 2007 version of the RWC Fiji defeated Wales, but this was the only occasion they got out of the pool stages into the quarter-finals. Does 2023 present an opportunity to go even further?
One man who could influence Fiji’s destination is the blockbusting, experienced and versatile machine, Levani Botia. Not only does he show superb technique in making turnovers, but he also acquired his nickname the “Demolition Man” by destroying opponents with full-frontal obliteration.
Watching videos of his runs is a far more pleasant experience than having to tackle this beast. Botia is known for his devastating runs, his robust tackles and tackle busts creating chances for his supports. If he brings this form into the World Cup he will become as big a cult figure as he is for his club side La Rochelle.
This will be his third RWC, but first as a backrower after previously playing as a centre or wing, showing his remarkable versatility. With the launch of the Fiji Drua Super Rugby franchise and the experience of European players like Botia, Fiji is an extremely dangerous opponent with their attacking brand of rugby.
Levani Botia Veivuke was born on Vita Levu, Fiji in 1989, leaving school early to pursue his rugby career. He is well-known for working as a prison officer, playing for a warden’s sevens team in a local competition.
His wife Emele was not happy with him when she saw Levani playing rugby at the 2011 Pacific Games, when he should have been at a workshop! One person of whom he was fearful! Once the truth came out, they discussed it and she soon became a supporter of his career choice.
After being spotted by Fijian legend Waisale Serevi, Botia’s national career in sevens rugby soon transitioned into XV rugby for Fiji against Portugal in 2013.
(Photo by Alex Livesey – World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images)
Another legendary Fijian player, Sireli Bobo recommended Botia to the division two French club La Rochelle when asked if he knew of any other suitable Fijian players. In 2014 Botia signed on a short-term contract, but after only one month was offered a full-time contract and has since gone on to acquire cult status.
He helped guide them out of the second division and along with Uini Atonio are the only players from that team left today. Botia has passable French but prefers English and has played as a flanker at La Rochelle since 2017.
“The one thing I love about La Rochelle,” Botia told Sports Joe, “is the bonding, especially the leaders, who organise a lot of dinners and lunches together.”
Will this 34-year-old dynamo, who is built like a tank, straight off the production line of Fijian athletes, help Fiji reach greater heights at the 2023 Rugby World Cup?
A fitting profile for Botia comes from Patrick McCarry, who wrote, “The man would be warmly welcomed into any rugby side, the world over, as a centre and yet is even better as a back-row. He is a dump-truck to shift off the ball, a breakdown demon, one of the best offloaders in the game, a go-to guy for game-changing plays, attack and defence, and still able to shift it for a guy who is in his mid-30s.”
A player to follow at the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France, Levani Botia. Australia and Wales beware!
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.
And then, there were two. The NSW Waratahs and Fijian Drua will meet at Ballymore to decide who lifts the Super Rugby Women's trophy,…
And then, there were four. Super Rugby Women's enters it's final fortnight, and with the Reds and Rebels campaigns coming to a close, this…
Mick Byrne, the former AFL premiership winner who has become a hugely successful rugby coach, will be promoted to head coach of Fiji, according…
The final round of the regular season of Super Rugby Women's is set to deliver a lot of surprises. The Reds will look to…
Rugby Australia might be on the hunt for a new coach, but you can put a line through Simon Raiwalui. The man who orchestrated…
Simon Raiwalui has revealed he will not seek an extension as Fiji coach, saying he wants to return "home". While he impressed the rugby…
