Super Rugby Pacific: Fijian Drua And Blues To Honour Joeli Vidiri With Memorial Trophy

Article – RNZ

The Blues confirmed the special memorial game will honour the late Joeli Vidiri, who played first for the Flying Fijians before becoming an All Black in the 90s.Iliesa Tora, RNZ Pacific senior sports journalist

Former dual rugby international, the late Joeli Vidiri, will be honoured in a new memorial challenge between the Fijian Drua and the Auckland Blues.

The Blues have confirmed that they, in partnership with the Drua, have agreed to introduce the Joeli Vidiri Memorial Trophy, which will be up for grabs for the first time when the two franchise clubs meet at Eden Park on Saturday.

In a statement sent to RNZ Pacific, the Blues said the special memorial game will honour the late Vidiri, who played first for the Flying Fijians before becoming an All Black in the 90s.

He made his mark with the Blues between 1996 and 2001, playing 61 games and scoring 43 tries.

He left the team in 2011 following serious kidney illness and died in 2022.

“The Joeli Vidiri Memorial Trophy will be contested every time the Blues and Fijian Drua meet, as a tribute to one of rugby’s most electrifying and beloved figures, and a player whose impact transcended borders and united communities across the Pacific,” the club said.

“Vidiri, remembered for his powerful running, humility, and infectious joy, made an indelible mark during his time in Auckland while remaining deeply connected to his Fijian roots,” the franchise said.

“The new trophy recognises his unique role in bridging two proud rugby nations.

“The trophy itself has been thoughtfully designed to reflect this shared heritage, incorporating symbolic elements that pay tribute to both regions.

“As part of the inaugural presentation, the Vidiri family will play a central role in match-day proceedings, with a special on-field moment planned to award the trophy.”

Vidiri studied at Queen Victoria School in Fiji and was a champion sprinter in his senior years at the school.

He played for both the Fijian sevens team and the Flying Fijians, before arriving in New Zealand and teaming up with Counties Manukau, and played 71 matches for the side in the New Zealand Provincial Championship.

His rugby career was cut short when he was diagnosed with a kidney illness in 2001 and placed on dialysis treatment, like his fellow Auckland Blues winger Jonah Lomu.

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