Bole passes on

FORMER Fiji rugby referee Sakiusa Bole has died. He passed away at Nabukaluka, Waidina, Naitasiri on Monday.

Relative and Naitasiri Rugby Union official Jone Turaganiqali said Bole was renowned for his dedication to the growth of rugby in Fiji.

“He is known as one of the fathers of sevens rugby in Fiji, a former parttime radio announcer and a joy to watch during his time as a match official as a referee or linesman,” Turaganiqali said.

“He was superb in his knowledge of the laws of rugby. He was labelled as the ‘Man in the middle’ because he always wore a headband.

“When asked by his son one day, ‘Why you wearing a headband over your bald head?’ He said: ‘It is to protect sweat dripping from my forehead into my eyes because that would cause a blurr vision during the match.

“One of his favourite lines when there was a big tackle on a player was ‘Drau sota kei barasi,’ meaning a player met his fate.

“When he spoke to team captains before a game, he would literally take control by saying: ‘Ka ga au sa lewa, au sa lewa. O au na dau ni vakatagisici e na qito qo (whatever my call during the match, you have to follow, I am the referee).’

“He was probably the only person in Fiji to have organised a rugby 7s at Nabukaluka District School in the 1980s where the game kicked off at 6am where teams played a game before heading for breakfast as it was a one day tourney.

“Furthermore, his fitness and quick reaction during games was always a joy to watch as he would sprint under the post when there was a penalty kick even when he was an assistant referee or he would even advance himself readily in a lying position to the in-goal awaiting players attempting to score a try. What our referees are doing now are replicas of the actions of Bole.”

The former school teacher has left behind many good memories as a rugby referee.

“One day he officiated in a 7s tournament along the Waidina and Namosi area in the late 1980s, He used a torch to see where a player would scored.”

Master Bole, as he was commonly known, is survived by two sons, one being the current headteacher of Nabukaluka District School, Aporosa Bole, also a former referee, a daughter and grandchildren.

He will be laid to rest next Tuesday.