“I did it for my son” says Simi Kuruvoli
“Go Hard or Go Home” is something that FIJI Water Flying Fijians half-back Simione Kuruvoli believed in when he was ruled out of the Super Rugby Pacific season in January this year.
He said seeing his teammates involved in the match-day squad for Fijian Drua and traveling around to play Super Rugby opponents didn’t dampen his spirit but gave him more energy to do his rehab diligently.
Kuruvoli said “I count myself fortunate because sitting on the sideline during the Super Rugby Pacific gave me a boost to increase my work rate in the gym and recover fast. I thank the Coaches for having that trust in me joining the FIJI Water Flying Fijians.”
He said while he was cleared to return back on the field, he didn’t have any hopes of making it into the FIJI Water Flying Fijians squad due to zero games this season.
He added “I was very happy and at the same time emotional because when I got injured earlier this year I thought I would miss the selection for Flying Fijians. I actually never thought about Flying Fijians because I had to focus on my rehab.
The former Lelean Memorial School student said “Mentally being in rehab is one of the toughest things for any player because you are left out and all attention is on the team but that’s what pushed me to do my rehab well and be ready before time.”
He further added “Even though the surgeons said that I will be out for 6 to 7 months but in my head, I was like I can do it within five months and I did it. I thank God and my medical staff for doing all the hard work for me.
Kuruvoli said his son was the main motivating factor that pushed him to work hard every day.
“I have a small family and my son was the reason I had to work hard every day. Whenever I woke up early morning to go to training, I knew I had to go to my son satisfied that I have achieved something on the day at work” he said.
The Kadavu native said it was great to get game time against Samoa last weekend and he is looking forward to giving his best shot again tomorrow.
“It was great to don the white jersey and play. Actually, it was my first win to start with, and all credit to the boys and the whole team.
The key thing here is consistency and I’m going to keep pushing myself” said Kuruvoli.