Apolosi Ranawai, a prop for the NSW Waratahs, has achieved his dream of playing Super Rugby at the age of 32. His journey to this point was not easy, and he credits the friendship and guidance of former Wallaby cult hero Matt Dunning for helping him recover from a period of personal tragedy just two years ago. At that time, Ranawai had stopped playing rugby and gained weight, reaching nearly 170kg.
Ranawai’s path to professional rugby began in his home country of Fiji, where he played as a front-rower in the Fijian schoolboys and under-20s teams. He later attended a spartan boarding school in Suva, the same one as former Wallaby Marika Koroibete. After graduating with a diploma in agricultural science, he worked for the government advising traditional local farmers on how to modernise their methods.
His rugby career took him to Malaysia, New Zealand, and eventually to lower-grade rugby sides in Sydney and regional NSW. He played club rugby in Hawkes Bay, where All Black lock Brodie Retallick bought him his boots. However, after two years there, he returned home to care for his sick mother.
Ranawai then played rugby league in Fiji before moving to Sydney in 2018 to play for the South-Eastern Seagulls. He switched back to rugby after a year and joined the Warringah Rats, where he played in third and second grade, with occasional appearances in first grade. After leaving the Rats, he played for the Wollongong Tech Waratahs and was offered a shot by Norths coach Zak Beer in 2022.
Beating the odds, Ranawai made a name for himself during two impressive seasons for Norths in the Shute Shield. However, his life was turned upside down in 2024 when several family members, including his son from a previous relationship in Fiji, fell ill. He returned to Fiji but lost his son, sister, and nephew in a short period of time. “2024 was a big low [point in] life for me,” Ranawai said.
While also applying for permanent residency in Australia, Ranawai wasn’t playing rugby but when he watched Norths lose another grand final in 2024, he messaged Beer, in tears, saying he wanted to return. “He messaged me and said, ‘can you stand on the scale?’” Ranawai said. “I was 168 kilos. I was nearly 170. After that, I thank him so much because he really helped me to dig myself out of the grave.”
Cutting back on carbs and training daily under the guidance of Beer and Dunning, Ranawai trimmed down to under 150kg and had another strong season for Norths. When the Waratahs offered a train-and-trial stint last year, Ranawai gambled by stopping work and taking on the deal. At 135kg, he debuted for NSW in the Super Rugby AUS competition late last year and was offered a modest contract.
Ranawai made his debut in Super Rugby two weeks ago against the Force and has impressed in two bench stints. He scored a try at the weekend in Dunedin and has done enough to keep his spot for the Tahs’ return to Fiji this weekend, to play the Drua. He is a chance to start.
“I think I need to have maybe more than 100 tickets,” Ranawai said. “I’ve got the whole village around me. I come from a very big family. I’ve got … 15 siblings. I come from a very big family and a big village. I haven’t played a game in the home since I left home in 2018, so it’s 8 years now. To go and play back in the homeland. It would be a full circle for me.”
Ranawai said he believes his story is a good example of patience and persistence, and said it wouldn’t have been possible without his partner Doreen, who supported him emotionally and financially. “They’re the ‘why’ of why I do this,” he said. “Sometimes I get up in the morning and sometimes you wake up. Is this worth it? Chasing your dream, you ask yourself. I see my partner had to support me. Especially financially. Those are challenging times. It’s my dream job but I can’t achieve this alone. Especially when you’re 32 and you’ve got a family.”
Incoming Wallabies coach faces scrutiny as Reds lodge ref complaint
The Queensland Reds have lodged a formal complaint with Super Rugby Pacific over the standard of refereeing in their controversial loss to the Chiefs on Friday, which ended with the match officials being booed off Suncorp Stadium. But in what could add salt to their wounds, the Reds also face a possible sanction from Super Rugby Pacific bosses for breaching tournament regulations after the game.
The Reds lost 31-21 to the Chiefs in a defeat that all but ended Queensland’s hopes of finishing in the top three and hosting a qualifying final. Kiwi referee Marcus Playle and his assistants were booed off Suncorp Stadium, with fans fuming following a series of dubious calls that went against the Reds in a 12-5 penalty count.
The most controversial decision was a hasty no-try ruling for Queensland second-rower Seru Uru on the stroke of halftime. Reds players were confident Uru had scored with a goal-line charge to give the home team as much as a 14-10 lead, but, with an obstructed view, Playle ruled it was held up before seeking a TMO review. Just 26 seconds later – and having used only one angle – TMO Glenn Newman said there was no clear evidence to overturn the decision, and half-time was blown.
Reds players pointed to the stadium screen as subsequent replays appeared to show Uru grounding the ball. Former Wallabies star Tim Horan said on Stan Sport: “How could there be nothing clear there? They needed to have a bit more a look at it. The TMO has had one look and said halftime. That’s a poor decision.”
Kiss and Reds captain Fraser McReight were diplomatic about the refereeing in post-match media duties, but the Queensland Rugby Union was sufficiently aggrieved that they later submitted a complaint to Super Rugby Pacific. “The QRU have raised their concerns on match officiating direct with Super Rugby Pacific and will respect the process and won’t be making any further comment on the matter,” QRU chief executive David Hanham said on Sunday.
Informed sources said the QRU’s concerns were not centred on individual decisions, but more raising the question of why the competition had appointed an inexperienced referee for a crucial fixture between two sides in the top six, with home finals on the line. The match was Playle’s eighth Super game.
Super Rugby Pacific officials will also look at the post-match actions of Queensland. Unhappy with decisions throughout the game – particularly in the last quarter – Queensland were not happy post-game, and after the coach and captain did interviews, Kiss shut down any other player interviews with broadcaster Stan Sport. Stan Sport is owned by Nine, the owner of this masthead.
Kiss’s move was an attempt to protect his players from getting in trouble when asked about refereeing, but pulling down the shutters was also a breach of Super Rugby Pacific tournament regulations, which stipulate the coach, captain, and at least two further players must be available for interview with the host broadcaster post-game.
Kiss told Stan Sport he had even pondered pulling McReight from his post-match duties, saying: “I feel for ‘Frase’ tonight. I was reluctant to let him go in front of the media to tell you the truth, just to protect him.” Informed sources say broadcaster Stan Sport was not pleased and made it known to Super Rugby Pacific.
The Reds could this week cop a fine from head office for the breach, as per tournament guidelines. But it is more likely the sanction would be a letter of warning from Super Rugby Pacific boss Jack Mesley, according to informed sources with knowledge of the situation.
The Reds sit in sixth place with three games remaining: away clashes against the Force and Moana, and a home game against the Fiji Drua. Sitting six points behind the Reds, however, the Waratahs’ faint finals hopes rest on their northern neighbours falling apart in the run home.
But the Waratahs have to pick up wins, too, and that only got tougher ahead of a tough road trip to Fiji this week given the multiple injury concerns arising from their 31-26 defeat to the Highlanders in Dunedin.
The Tahs may have to call up a hooker from club rugby with Ethan Dobbins (foot) and Folau Fainga’a (knee) both in doubt, along with lock Angus Blyth (ankle), back-rower Peter Samu (knee) and winger Andrew Kellaway (concussion).
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