Flying Fijian # 416: Filimoni Seru Capped in Levuka

Fiji Rugby Union Chief Executive Officer Mr. Koli Sewabu, together with a team from FRU, traveled to Levuka to visit a son of Fiji who has represented the nation with pride in both the 7s and 15s codes of the sport—Filimoni Seru. Today, at 55, Fili is facing an incredibly difficult challenge: he is battling Motor Neuron Disease (MND).

From his early school days, Fili was known for his talent and athleticism. He was a back-to-back Blue Ribbon Champion and a key player in the Nabua Rugby Club’s 7s team, where he lined up alongside rugby legends such as Waisale Serevi, Tomasi Cama, and the Rauluni Brothers. He was also part of the Hong Kong Sevens teams that won three consecutive tournaments, solidifying his place in Fijian rugby history.

But on this day, the celebration was not just about past glories. It was about honoring a man whose body may be failing him but whose spirit remains a testament to the resilience of Fijian rugby players.

His wife, Timaima Vulimailaucala, welcomed the Fiji Rugby delegation, who arrived with a care package and an even greater gift—the official cap recognizing Mr. Seru as Flying Fijian #416. The cap signifies his first Test match for Fiji against Tonga on March 24, 1990, in Nuku’alofa, Tonga.

Mr. Sewabu shared that this visitation has been a long time coming and is part of an ongoing process where past Flying Fijians are being honored through the practice of capping.

“It’s a huge honour to be here on the island of Ovalau to come and present the capping of Mr. Filimoni Seru, who represented Fiji in numerous locations both in 15s and in 7s,” Mr. Sewabu said.

“Mr. Seru played his first Test for Fiji back in Nuku’alofa in Tonga on the 24th of March 1990, so he’s Flying Fijian number 416. It’s a huge honour to be here to represent the past and the present leaders of Fiji Rugby to present and place awareness on the impact of Motor Neuron Disease.”

“I’m really grateful for the family for receiving us and also for raising the context behind the disease,” Mr. Sewabu continued. “Something that Fiji Rugby is looking into is to look at some new initiatives on how we can explore some of the diseases or issues that are facing former rugby players and how we can raise awareness around that and bring it to light to ensure that we do learn from it and also understand the impact it has on families and former players themselves.”

“We will continue to go through our list to look at former players who haven’t been capped, and we will continue to do the honour of acknowledging their contribution to Fiji Rugby and find ways to improve ways of looking after their welfare,” he added.

Timaima Vulimailaucala acknowledged the visiting FRU delegation and shared that while she looks after her husband’s welfare, she is also using this platform to raise awareness of the disease that has left Mr. Seru immobile.

“I use this platform for my husband. I know everybody’s probably seen his picture being shared widely on social media about the illness he’s currently being diagnosed with—Motor Neuron Disease,” said Vulimailaucala.

“The purpose of us using that platform is to be able to raise awareness on this disease. He may be the first one diagnosed in Fiji, but we believe that there are others who are sports people who may have been affected by it but have no idea that that was Motor Neuron.”

Her words carried a plea that reached beyond her family’s doorstep.

“I would like to just ask all sporting bodies to do research on this illness because what we have read in the research is that it is the degeneration of nerves or muscles, but the doctors will have more to say on this.”

MND damages the motor neurons in the body, leading to muscle weakness and wasting. Unfortunately, there is no cure at present, though treatments can slow its progression.

“I would like everybody to be aware of this illness and to start taking action when you are met with it or when you’ve been diagnosed with it so that you can easily see what is it that you need to do to help those who are in need of that.”

Filimoni Seru’s sacrifice for Fiji Rugby would not be forgotten, and that his battle with MND would serve as a catalyst for greater awareness and support for former players.