Bukuya hoping it will be third time lucky for Bati at World Cup

Born in Brisbane, Fijian forward Jayson Bukuya has played rugby league in Queensland, in New Zealand and in NSW for the Cronulla Sharks.

FIJ

In a career that has been affected by injuries, Bukuya has found a home in the Sutherland Shire.

Bukuya’s international career began in 2008, the same year he signed a professional contract for the Sharks, during the World Cup in Australia. He played all four games for Fiji, helping his ancestral nation to victories over France and Ireland before losing to Australia in the semifinal.

Five years later, in the 2013 World Cup, it was a case of deja vu for Bukuya as Fiji were again knocked out by Australia in the semifinal. Since then, Bukuya moved briefly to New Zealand Warriors, however after only one season he returned to Cronulla Sharks. In 2016, as the Sharks won their first premiership, he played 25 games, scored five tries and made a big impact off the bench in the grand final.

“I had to hang in there because there were plenty of times I wanted to throw it in,” he told NRL.com during that dream season.

“By just pushing through those tough times to where I am now has made it all worth it.”

In the past two World Cups Fiji have been grouped with Australia and England, but this time the Pacific Island nation has the chance to win the opening World Cup games against second tier sides the USA, Wales and Italy. Now a senior statesman of the Fiji side, Bukuya will be expected to lead from the front. The Cronulla forward rings his mother before every game and is proud to represent Fiji.

”My dad passed away when I was very young,” he told the Caboolture Shire Herald in 2013, “but [my heritage] is something we love to celebrate as a family.”

Fiji’s RLWC2017 Pool D Fixtures
Vs USA
Purchase Tickets to USA v Fiji in Townsville on 28/10/2017

Vs Wales
Purchase Tickets to Wales v Fiji in Townsville on 05/11/2017

Vs Italy
Purchase Tickets to Italy v Fiji in Canberra on 10/11/2017

Tickets: RLWC2017 tickets start at just $10 kids/concessions, $20 Adults and $45 for a family of four.

Transport: Murrays have come on board as an official transport provider for the Rugby League World Cup 2017.If you would like to organise a bus or coach to Canberra please contact them.

Attention Fiji Fans! The Australian Fijian Rugby League (AFRL) based in Sydney will be organising bus/coach services to transport Fiji supporters from selected pick up locations from Sydney to Canberra Stadium for the Fiji vs Italy match on Friday 10 November 2017.
For more information email at from the Australian Fiji Rugby League or call Joycelyn on +61474498355.

Fan Club: To join the Fijian Fan Club (free) and receive updates go to www.culturalpulse.com.au/rugbyleaguefans

Red Elephant | @redelephantaus