Daugunu closes in on dream debut against the All Blacks
As a teenager growing up in Fiji, every Saturday Filipo Daugunu would play sevens, in-between would wear the gloves in soccer and then run back to play another match of rugby.
Now, the 25-year-old, who only arrived in Australia a few years ago, is on the verge of making his debut for the Wallabies.
“I was playing soccer and rugby during my high school,” he said. “I played for Fiji under-17s at 14 and 15 during high school. On Saturdays, most of the time it’d be (playing) football and rugby.
“Sometimes I’d play sevens and after one game I’d go and play soccer and then back again to finish the sevens.
“I moved after high school to Suva to play rugby there, I was fortunate to come over.
“My goal when I first arrived in Brisbane was to play for Australia.” It’s an incredible story for the softly spoken Fijian, who has made giant strides on the rugby field and let his rugby do the talking in 2020. We saw glimpses of his talent in 2019, but it wasn’t until Super Rugby AU that the public saw the awesome explosiveness of the winger. He finished the season with the most run metres and tackle busts, which put his name firmly on the radar of Australia’s selectors.
GENUINE WINGER
A genuine winger, who can get on the ball and score tries, Daugunu is in-line to play on the right-wing against the All Blacks in the Bledisloe opener in Wellington on October 11.
“It (would) mean a lot for me and my family back home,” he said. “When I arrived here the dream was to play for the Wallabies and to play the first game against the All Blacks would be very (special).”
If he does take the field at Sky Stadium, it’s almost certain that his wing partner would be his fellow countryman and reigning John Eales Medalist winner Marika Koroibete.
But even though the two are Fijian, Daugunu admits there were some nerves about properly meeting Koroibete despite playing each other on a handful of occasions over the past two years.
“First time I arrived (in Wallabies camp), I was very scared,” Daugunu admitted.
“Even Marika, I didn’t really know him very well.
“Training with him is different, he trains the way he plays.
“I’ve tried to follow him because he’s faster than me, he’s stronger. “He’s given me some advice because he’s my roomie, how’s camp and being a part of the team.”