Accountant Dreams to Rugby World Cup: Fijian's Journey

When Mereoni Nakesa finished high school in 2023, she had her future mapped out: university, accounting degree, steady career. Then the McDonald's Fijian Drua Women's rugby team called, and everything changed.

The 23-year-old lock forward came from a family with zero rugby background. Her parents had saved for university, and she was ready to pursue her dream of becoming an accountant.

"After my Form 7, I was planning to be an accountant. It was my dream, but God gave me this talent to be part of the Drua team," Nakesa says.

The call came unexpectedly in 2023. Nakesa remembers telling her parents about the selection and everyone getting emotional because they hadn't prepared for this path.

Despite the surprise, her family became her biggest supporters. Her parents, who had never imagined their daughter would play professional rugby, now beam with pride at her accomplishments.

Nakesa made the most of her chance. She helped the Drua Women secure back-to-back titles before earning selection for the Fijiana 15s national team.

Last year brought her biggest milestone yet: representing Fiji at the Rugby World Cup. For a young woman who never dreamed of traveling beyond her hometown, stepping onto the world stage felt surreal.

The journey hasn't been easy. Rugby demands sacrifice, discipline, and commitment that accounting textbooks never required.

"It's not an easy journey for me. Rugby was a tough game. I had to be prepared, but I had to discipline myself and work hard," she explains.

Why This Inspires

Nakesa's story reminds us that our greatest opportunities often arrive disguised as detours. She didn't abandon her dreams; she discovered bigger ones she never knew existed.

Her willingness to embrace the unexpected opened doors to experiences she couldn't have imagined: international travel, world championship competition, and inspiring young Fijian girls who now see rugby as a path forward.

Most powerfully, her parents' support shows how families can pivot from disappointment to pride when they see their children thriving on unexpected paths.

Now entering her fourth season with the Drua Women, Nakesa has set her sights on reclaiming the Super Rugby Women's title. The team opens their season against the Waratahs this Saturday.

Nakesa often reflects on how rugby has shaped her. "Rugby has taught me a lot. I didn't dream of travelling around the world."

Her advice to young women considering non-traditional paths? Trust the journey, work hard, and stay disciplined even when the road looks different than you planned.