“He plays like he really wants to wear the Fiji jersey,” were the words of coach Waisale Serevi on Lepani Nabuliwaqa’s enthusiastic playing style. Whilst the maestro’s words ring true, he was also speaking a little tongue-in-cheek after Nabuliwaqa picked up a couple of cards for some rather exuberant tackling.

An influential member of the Qauia-based Red Rock 7s team that swept through most local tournaments in 2003-04, Nabuliwaqa made his debut at the 2006 Los Angeles 7s and later made the 12-man squad for the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne.

'Leps' took over as playmaker for the final leg of the 2005-06 IRB World 7s Series, and became one of Fiji's star performers. He was later awarded the Digicel Fiji 7s Best Player Award at the Fiji Rugby Annual Dinner.

Fiji 7s appearances:
2006 – Darwin (Fiji Barbarians), Wellington, Los Angeles, Hong Kong, Singapore, Paris, London, Dubai, George
2007 – Wellington, San Diego