Waisea Mataitoga, the manager of Fiji’s Under-20 rugby team, tragically passed away following an asthma attack. A respected teacher at Queen Victoria School, he was instrumental in leading the school’s under-18 team to victory in the prestigious Deans Trophy this year.
Mataitoga’s contributions to Fijian rugby were significant. He served as the manager of the Fiji Airways Fijiana 7s team during the 2022-2023 season, collaborating closely with head coach Saiasi Fuli to enhance the team’s global performance. Earlier this month, he assumed the role of manager for the SportsWorld Fiji Under-20 team, reflecting his ongoing commitment to developing young talent.
The rugby community is deeply mourning his untimely death, recognizing him as a dedicated leader and mentor whose contributions will be remembered.
The Fiji Rugby Union, along with staff, board members, and several U20 players, honored Mataitoga with a traditional Fijian condolence ceremony (ireguregu), highlighting the significant impact he had on the rugby community and beyond.
Mataitoga’s passing is a profound loss for both the sport and the nation. The Fiji Rugby Union and the wider community extend their heartfelt sympathies to his family during this difficult time.
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