Forster Tuncurry Dolphins winger Naibuka “Buka” Naqito will be the sole representative of the Lower Mid North Coast Rugby Union competition at this weekend’s NSW Country Rugby Union Championships in Port Macquarie.
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Playing for the Mid North Coast Axemen, the 26-year-old will join players from the Hastings Valley, Port Macquarie and Kempsey among others to battle it out for country supremacy.
Naibuka was pleased with his selection.
"It was really good, I feel proud,” Naibuka said.
He insisted several players from the Manning River Ratz could easily be lining up with him this weekend.
The Mid North Coast squad welcomed forwards coach for the Australian Wallabies, Mario Ledesma on April 23 for a scruntinising session for the Axemen scrum pack.
Despite not playing in the forwards for the country championships, he said the whole squad learnt a lot from the visit.
"We learnt a lot from him,” Naibuka said.
"He was really good, really experienced.”
Great Lakes Advocate rugby union correspondent Phil Wilkins noted that Naibuka held the ability to be a force anywhere across the park.
“He is a superb big Fijian who has been chosen on the wing, but who should be playing somewhere in the back row so he can get his hands on the ball and run with it,” Wilkins said.
“A most damaging player.”
Naibuka remained humble when speaking about his own ability.
"As a player, they didn't know which position to put me because I can play every position,” he said.
"I was a bit quick so when I made it to the rep team they put me on the wing.”
He has been a staple in the Dolphins squad since making a permanent move to Forster from his native Fiji last year.
"I've been playing rugby since I was a little boy, it’s in my blood.”
Naibuka had a starring role in the Dolphins 88-3 win over Old Bar in the Lower Mid North Coast opening round on April 23.
He finished the match with four tries.
Naibuka was confident the team would have a strong season in 2017.
"The Dolphins are really looking good.
"I think we're going to go pretty well this year.”
The NSW Country Rugby Union Championships will be held at Port Macquarie Regional Stadium this weekend, April 29 and 30.
Gates open a 9am with a $5 entry fee.