Hornets say farewell to legendary pioneer
HORNETS supporters will be saddened to hear the passing of Voate Driu, who trailed a blaze in the sixties when he swapped the sunshine and tropical beaches of Fiji for the rain and frozen rugby pitches of Rochdale.
Driu came to Rochdale in 1962, one of four Fijians who crossed the world to play for Hornets. He was the last surviving member of the original four and was responsible for creating a Rochdale legacy.
But then he arrived at his Newbold home in 1962, the then 31-year-old had little idea just how significant his move would prove to be.
The tall, striking Fijian would go on to become a pioneer in the emerging sport, and a hero back home, by becoming one of the first of his countrymen to play in England.
And it was this arrival at Rochdale Hornets, together with Orisi Dawai, Joe Levula and Liatia Ravouvou, which started an unlikely love affair between the town and the tiny south Pacific country, which still exists today.
“We are the ones that brought all this history to
Rochdale Hornets and easy decision. England,” Voate told the He said: “It is like Observer in an interview someone coming up to in 2013. you and giving you a stick
“We were the first to of gold. They paid for arrive - the beginning.” everything for us and we
Voate grew up near the all lived together at 305 town of Nandi, playing for Milnrow Road. Nandi Rugby Club, and “It was the best thing we working a sugar cane could have done.” plantation. Thousands would turn
“In Fiji it was nothing out to each game to watch but rugby,” he said. them play and “People play on the beach Rochdalians fell in love in their bare feet. Today with the Fijians, both on they play cricket and and off the field. football too but for my Yet it was a huge generation it was just upheaval for Voate and rugby and rugby.” the three other Fijians, as
Voate’s life changed they had to adapt to a forever when he was completely new culture approached by former and lifestyle. Hornets chairman Arthur “My first impression Walker. was that it was cold.
Arthur saw a Fijian “You do not get snow in rugby game while in Fiji but here it was Australia and was completely different. immediately impressed by “But we were so the size and speed of the welcomed by the whole players, and so was community. We were all determined to bring them very very happy.” ended he decided to while playing for Hornets “That was quite special. to Rochdale. Voate’s career at stay on in Rochdale and and was in and out for “Coming to Rochdale
The first players he Hornets spanned around later became a boiler sometime. and playing for the scouted were Dawai and eight years, but it was man at factories “I would be injured for Hornets was the best Levula in 1961, then the blighted with injury particularly including Brights, Moss some months then be thing I ever did. following year he returned to his and later Turner back. “Meeting my wife here and for Voate and shoulder. Brothers. “But I really really and having the children, it Ravouvou. During his playing During the 80s he also enjoyed playing here. has all been wonderful.
And despite the massive career he worked at ran his own taxi firm. “One of the most “I will never forget the upheaval the move would Nobles Warehouse, where He married Dorothy in memorable occasions was welcome we received. bring for Voate, who he met his future wife 1964 and the couple lived playing against New “I love the town and the played hooker as well as Dorothy. in Firgrove. Zealand and Australia community spirit we prop forward, it was an When his rugby career “I suffered a few injuries who came over on tour. have.”
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