When Waisale Serevi began his international rugby career for Fiji in 1988 few would have predicted that the kid nicknamed ‘Small’ would have been touted 15 years later as the greatest sevens player ever.
Though he has 31 Test caps in the 15 man game, Serevi maintains an unparalleled record at sevens; five Hong Kong titles and one World Cup winners' medal to his name, along with three Hong Kong Player of the Tournament awards and the honour of captaining his country to a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games in 2002.
Yet after a long career that has caused commentators to frequently run out of superlatives, the 35 year old ‘magician’ has admitted that this Rugby World Cup could well spell the end his international career.
“I think this will be my last tournament because age is catching up with me,” said Serevi to Fijian Television recently.
However in speaking to rugbyworldcup.com the Fijian is quick to take back his comments on retirement in order to focus any attention on to the task at hand - the impending RWC.
“My big goal was to be in this year’s Rugby World Cup and I feel very lucky to be selected,” he said.
“I’m trying not to think year by year, or month by month, but focus completely on training hard. At this Tournament I don’t want to just be a member, I want to be useful.”
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After two previous Rugby World Cup campaigns with Fiji, Serevi believes that this year is particularly promising for his side, not only because of their intense preparation but as they are set to play France in their opening match.
At the last Rugby World Cup, Fiji suffered a heartbreaking loss to France in a match which brought the small Pacific Islands nation to a standstill.
Apparently in Fiji, the match was the most watched in the country’s history. In over 100 islands, in every village, rugby fans trekked kilometres, rowed over from neighbouring islands or had trudged satellite equipment up big hills to get a better view of the match.
And according to Serevi all were crying when their side – leading 19-13 with 20 minutes to go - lost from a penalty try 28-19.
Now the Fijian flyer, who also plays in France for club side Stade Montois, will use his inside knowledge and past Rugby World Cup experience to even the ledger.
“We nearly beat them in 1999 and the whole world saw what happened,” he said. “We were unlucky and have [since] learnt a lot of things.”
Serevi and Fiji will get their chance on 11 October when they run out at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium against France in Pool B.
As for a future after rugby, whenever that may be, Serevi is giving nothing away.
“I’ve got a couple of things on my mind,” he said.