Name Josefa Levula | ||
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Josefa Levula (born June 15, 1930 in Narewa Nadi - July 1989, England) was a Fijian rugby union footballer and athlete. He played wing or centre for Fiji. He earned the nickname, "The Flying Fijian" which went on to become the nickname for the Fiji national rugby team in 15's.
Career
Levula, who had an unorthodox high knee action and his exceptionally long strides represented Fiji in the 1960s. In 1951, over 3000 fans came to Buckhurst Park to see the final between Suva and the Northern District. Levula scored four tries to end Suva’s 10 year hold on the trophy.
He was selected in the Fiji to tour New Zealand. he made his début for Fiji at fly-half and he scored a brace of tries against the Māori All Blacks to beat them 21–14 for which he received a New Zealand Rugby honour of being nominated as ‘Player of the Year'. In August 1952 he was on the wing for Fiji when they created history by beating Australia.
He joined the Athletics Fiji team in 1954 to take part in the Australian Athletics Championships. He finished 2nd in the 100-yard dash behind Hector Hogan.
In 1961, he defied the FRU when he left rugby union and went to England to join the Rochdale Hornets rugby league team. Levula later joined the Bradford Bulls (Northern Bradford) a few years later
He was inducted into the Fiji Sports Hall of Fame in 1990.