England U18s: Flying Fiji wing Jo Vosakiwaiwai is representing Pacific Island heritage in a Red Roses shirt

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By Charlie Elliott

England U18s player Jo Vosakiwaiwai spoke to Ruck about the pride that she has both playing for the nation of her upbringing while staying in touch with her Fijian heritage.

Despite a tough few games so far in the Six Nations Festival for her side, which have resulted in one win, two defeats and a draw, the electric winger has stayed positive and showed a lot of appreciation for the position that she is in. 

Currently at Andover RFC, but soon to be a Harlequins player, Vosakiwaiwai is in a unique position in that she will soon be playing with her idol, Ellie Kildunne. Speaking on the inspiration that Kildunne has had on her, she said: 

"It is her playing style and how she exploits that space as a full back and in the back three. And the way she interacts with players, as well as the people on that pitch, it really inspires me. She’s unbelievable, pacey, her stepping. Watching her against Wales when she got her 50th cap, how she got a hat trick there was amazing, you wouldn’t see that every day.  

"What she does as an individual, how she’s developed, it’s really inspired me. How she went to the Olympics, that really inspired me. And how she did 15s and then went into sevens, I see myself in going for that as well." 

When asked about the pride that she has playing for England, you could really sense a genuine appreciation from her. 

Not forgetting her Fijian heritage, of which she is equally as proud of, Vosakiwaiwai expressed the feeling that she has whenever she pulls on a Red Rose jersey. 

"It's definitely one of the best feelings, especially for representing myself as a Fijian girl, I think it’s one of the biggest things. Not many people from Fiji and females get to do it. I think being able to be in this position, representing myself, the people on this team, as well as my other nation as well. It’s the biggest pride within myself. 

"I have a quote as well. It’s, 'You’d rather be humble than be humbled.' Having that with me and having the Rose on my chest and everything is one of the greatest feelings, being out there and showcasing not only myself, but every single girl in this nation that would want to be in my position today." 

Born in Germany due to a father in the army, before being raised in her family's native Fiji and having resided in the UK since she was seven years old, it had been quite a journey already for the young winger. 

Being from a big rugby playing family, she talked about the inspiration that her parents have had on her, as well as her upbringing in Fiji as a whole. 

"Growing up in Fiji, seeing the kids running around the villages, playing rugby, throwing around the ball in barefoot. It's in the blood and everything is amazing. I was really influenced by my parents, my dad especially. My mum wasn’t really the sporty type, but when she saw all of us playing, she got straight into it and followed my dad’s footsteps. I think he was the biggest influence." 

With Fiji being one of, if not the biggest sevens playing nations in the world, Vosakiwaiwai stated her intentions of playing more of the sport and potentially going back to the Pacific to do so. 

"After this event, I’m planning to go into more sevens, because I think after going to 15s, I kind of stuck into that and never really got the chance to play sevens. I’m planning to probably go back to Fiji at one point and go back to my relatives and see the big lads play rugby." 

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