This month Fiji born rugby prop Tanya Kalounivale took the field for Aotearoa’s Black Ferns, playing against Australia. While her appearance was celebrated, few asked why the talented 23-year-old was wearing New Zealand colours and not those of the land of her birth.
Their is a simple answer; the unending vengeance of Fiji’s strongman, Voreqe Bainimarama.
Tanya’s father, Selesitino Kalounivale, featured in a book I co-wrote, Speight of Violence (2005); “CRW Corporal Selesitino Kalounivale suffered 31 injuries to his neck and head. There were 56 injuries to his body…” As he was tortured to death Tanya, nearly two years old, was at home with her mother and brothers.
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