Tavake Fusimalohi

Tavake Fusimalohi entered Saint Kentigern College in 2006 and graduated in 2008. He made his mark during his time at the College as both a stalwart of the 1^st XV rugby team and for his leadership at Bruce House, providing a good role model for the younger boarders.

He was also a diligent student who applied himself to the best of his abilities to his academic studies and other co-curricular activities. He will be mostly remembered as an excellent rugby player who was a member of the 1^st XV for three years, including in 2008 when the team made the semi-final of the 1A competition.

We have been following Tavake with interest since he left school and could not be prouder of his achievements. In his own words, he said he was blessed to further his education whilst playing rugby in Japan, attending Ryutsu Keizai University. He realised that if he was to fully succeed in Japan then he needed to master the language. During his first year in Japan he spent all his time learning the Japanese language, the culture and their way of living while playing rugby for Ryutsu Keizai University.

In 2010, remarkably, he enrolled at the University for a 4 year course in Sport Science; a course where Japanese was the principal language and all assignments required him not only to learn the course work, but also to further his knowledge of the language. He played rugby throughout his time at university and was named in the 2012 and 2013 University Best XV players list as well as named for the 2013 University All Stars. 

In March 2014, he graduated from the University with a Bachelor in Sport Science, an understanding of the Japanese Language and culture, as well as a 3 year signed contract playing in the Japan Top League Competition for NTT Docomo. This is the same team that former All Black, Mils Muliaina has just finished playing for.

Just prior to his graduation, Tavake returned to New Zealand and we were delighted that he took the time to visit the College to bring us up to date with his achievements. We, as a College community, congratulate Tavake on his remarkable educational success and wish him well with his professional rugby career. We are very proud of him.