Ilaitia Savai Explained

Ilaitia Savai
Birth Date:1960 7, df=yes
Birth Place:Nakalawaca, Tailevu Fiji
Death Place:Nadi, Fiji
Weight:242 lb
Ru Position:Lock
Ru Nationalcaps:38
Ru Nationalpoints:(26)
Ru Nationalyears:1984-1995
Ru Clubyears:1981-1982
1982-1986
1989-1990
1990-1998
Ru Amateurclubs:Hamilton Marist
Redcliffe[1]
Ru Amateuryears:1986-1987
1987-1989
Ru Proclubs:Hyatt
Nadroga
Suva
Nadi
Ru Province:Waikato[2]
Queensland
Ru Provinceyears:1986-1987
1987-1989
Ru Provincecaps:25
Ru Provincepoints:(8)

Ilaitia Savai (Nakalawaca, 12 July 1960 - Nadi 22 January 2015) was a Fijian rugby union player. He played as a lock.

Career

Savai made his debut for Fiji at the Suva National Stadium when he came in on the 40th minute as a substitute in the test against Australia. He played for Fiji from 1984 to 1995 earning 38 caps from 91 appearances. He was in the 1987 and 1991 Rugby World Cup rosters, playing 7 matches, scoring 4 points and 1 try. Savai also captained Fiji in the 1990 test against Japan, Tonga, Samoa and Hong Kong and later led the team to the tour of New Zealand in the same year. Under his captaincy, Fiji won three out of four tests.[3] His last international cap was during a match against Canada, at Nadi, on April 8, 1995.

Death

Savai died on February 2, 2015.[4] He was laid to rest at his village of Nakalawaca and is survived by his wife and three children. Among family and friends shocked to hear the news of his death, was former Fiji teammate Mosese Taga.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Pasifika Round Match Day Program . 18 December 2023.
  2. http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=293744 A gentle giant that was Ilaitia Savai
  3. http://www.fijirugby.com/latest-news/obituary-mr-ilaitia-savai/ Obituary – Mr Ilaitia Savai
  4. http://fijisun.com.fj/2015/01/30/rugby-mourns-a-gentle-giant Rugby mournas a gentle giant