Greater Sydney Rams backrower Albert Tuisue turned his back on one dream to follow another.
Tuisue is in his second NRC season with the Rams and will come up against his native Fiji on Saturday in their match against the Drua as part of Pasifika round.
The 24-year-old resigned from his job as a Fijian police officer to take a leap of faith with Shute Shield side West Harbour and then, in turn, the Rams, after impressing in last year’s NRC.
It was a relatively simple decision for Tuisue, desperate for a crack at full-time rugby.
“That was my career, my dream to become a police officer,” he said.
“So, I have another dream, to become a professional player too so I leave that one and go to another one.”
LIfe as a rugby player might be brutal on-field but that would pale in comparison to the things Tuisue has dealt with in his former role, working in Fijian prisons.
“In Fiji, I did a lot of work in the prisons and we had raids and that kind of thing,” he said.
“Yeah I've seen a lot of stuff.
“(Being) a police officer that's in your heart to be a humble person so I came here, not expecting anything, and I want to move on with my dreams.”
The pace of the game in Australia is what challenged Tuisue most, something that might surprise onlookers who expect the frenetic, attacking rugby Fiji produces.
“In FIji, the momentum of the game is not real fast but here it's quite fast,” he said.
The Rams and Drua will play off as part of Pasifika round this weekend, just three days before Fiji Day.
Tuisue will be gathering with friends to celebrate Fiji Day, a day he looks forward to each year.
The Greater Sydney Rams host the Fijian Drua on Saturday, kicking off at 3pm AEDT, LIVE on FOX SPORTS. Fans attending are encouraged to bring their pre-loved rugby gear to the match to donate to The Fiji Project. More information here.
