A Fijian, now American citizen, Cyrille Cama, 19, has been named in the USA Men’s Under-20 rugby union side.
Head coach Scott Bracken on Monday named 33 players mostly comprised of US collegiate and high school players with overseas clubs representatives also on the list.
Cama’s family migrated to Los Angeles in 2013 consisting of his parents Remi and Marjorie (nee Vosanibola) plus three siblings. Cama is number two, his older sister is now a nurse while his two younger siblings are attending secondary and primary school respectively.
He was captain for St John Bosco Rugby for two consecutive years defending champions CIF competition. St John Bosco is the California National High School Champions in football where he played in the backline and also for two years in the Varsity team.
His older sister Theresa Lefina Cama, 22, paid for his tuition. He is currently part of the Rhinos academy (American Football) where he has a full scholarship.
He is from Natokalau, Kubulau in Bua with maternal links in Bureta, Ovalau.
When he enrolled in St John Bosco, word went around that he’s Fijian and first one for that matter, according to his Fijian nanny Maraia Tuioka Bativudi.
Bativudi, from Wainiyabia in Serua said Cama loved rugby and was a member of the St Agnes Primary School team in Nabua when he schooled here.
“He loves rugby and it was no surprise when he called to say he was named in the US U20,” Bativudi said.
His late maternal grandfather Apolosi Vosanibola represented the Fiji Secondary Schools rugby team that toured New Zealand in 1967.
Cama is doing his majors in Criminal Justice and is vying for a career in law enforcement
He has toured South Africa twice to participate in the world tournament in 2017 and 2018.
He started playing as a halfback, to fullback, wing, then switched to No. 8 based on need. As a senior, he played No. 8.
The USA U20s were originally set to play in the inaugural Men’s U20 Americas Rugby Championship.
While the competition was postponed due to COVID-19, World Rugby continues to evaluate the climate for an opportunity to host the event later this year.
If the U20 ARC is to be canceled entirely, USA Rugby High Performance will seek alternative competitions, in line with World Rugby’s return to play protocol, to give all athletes an opportunity to represent the United States.
Edited by Leone Cabenatabua
Feedback: karalaini.waqanidrola@fijisun.com.fj
