He may be only young, but that hasn’t stopped rugby union rising star Elijah Tuigamala clocking up some serious travel miles.
Last year, the then-14-year-old toured New Zealand with the Melbourne Rebels’ under-14 side, competing against the likes of Auckland, Waikato and Bay of Plenty.
Now 15, Tuigamala recently returned from more travel, this time throughout Australia with the Victorian under-15 Rebels for the national Gold Cup.
Tuigamala was joined in the team by his club teammate, Tipene Broughton-Thompson.
Together, the Melton boys helped the Rebels win their first five matches and progress through to the competition’s semi-final against the ACT Brumbies.
It was there their run came to an end with the Brumbies coming out on top in Canberra.
The boys’ club coach Ivala Tuigamala – Elijah’s father – said it had been a fantastic experience for the pair.
“These guys got to mingle with some of the senior Rebels players from the Super Rugby games,” he said.
“It’s really good what they’re doing at the moment. Hopefully, it can continue for a long time.
“It’s only in its second year this Gold Cup tournament. Our under-15s from last year won it, but unfortunately they just came up short this time.”
Among highlights of the tournament was a huge upset victory by the Rebels against one of the cup favourites.
Taking on Sydney West, the Rebels came out on top 52-10, signalling their intentions for the rest of the tournament.
From there, the team went on a three-match tour of Sydney, collecting three wins along the way.
Tuigamala and Broughton-Thompson will now turn their attention to trying to qualify for the under 17 gold cup next year.
“Towards the end of the year they’ll begin trials for the under-17s,” Ivala Tuigamala said.
“Because the boys turn 15 this year they will not be eligible to play under-15s so they’ll have to play under-17s. It is hard to make it as a bottom-age player but we will see how they go.”
