The Stuff Dreams Are Made Of

Fri, Mar 25, 2022, 12:14 AM
Rebels Media
by Rebels Media

The chance to make your professional rugby debut in your hometown for a Club you spent your childhood cheering for is a moment most players can only dream of.

But for Wyndham product Daniel Maiava, this sporting fairy-tale will become a reality tonight, after being selected in the Melbourne Rebels match day 23 for their crucial round 6 clash against the Fijian Drua.

The nineteen-year-old’s elevation comes following an impressive twelve months of training, where Maiava has quickly established himself as one of Australia’s most promising young locks following his opening trial debut against the Drua, his performances for the Rebels A squad and his recent efforts at the Junior Wallabies program.

Maiava signed with the Rebels in July last year, alongside 7 other homegrown academy graduates, as the Club’s pathways system continues to go from strength to strength.

Maiava said the opportunity to pull on his local team’s jersey and follow in the footsteps of homegrown Rebels’ Jordan Uelese, Trevor Hosea and Pone Fa’amausili, was a “dream come true” for himself and his family.

“It’s been a really exciting moment for me and my family and just receiving an outpouring of support from my friends and former teammates and coaches – it’s been great,” said Maiava.

“I want to make mention and thank some of the older boys like Trevor [Hosea], who’s helped guide me and get me to where I am now and push me with attention to detail and what it takes to do well on the professional stage.

“Pom [Simona] has also been another big one, who since I’ve been really young, has always been there for me, along with all my junior coaches who have been massive for my development.”

One of Daniel’s junior coaches, former-Under 14’s coach John Toro, reflected on our newest Rebels’ time at the Wyndham City Rhinos, and the wave of excitement felt around the local community following Wednesday’s announcement.

“It’s fantastic news for Victorian rugby and our club in Wyndham,” said Toro.

“Dan will be the first local boy to play on the Super Rugby stage, so we’re all just over the moon to be honest.

“Looking back, we shared a lot of great memories; he was quiet but did his speaking on the field.

“One of my best moments was his last game in Under-14’s with our club, where he set up one our first half tries in the Grand Final- he always stood up in the big moments.

“If I was to describe Daniel, I would say incredibly humble, quiet and just a beast on the field and with his work ethic and hunger to learn, so I’m excited to see him in Super Rugby now.”

Maiava’s Super Ruby debut shapes as a memorable night for our community in more ways than one, with the Rebels celebrating the phenomenal impact the Fijian community has made on Victorian rugby, with a host of activations, contest giveaways and opportunities for autographs available throughout the night.

The Club will also be unveiling their number one ticket holders for 2022, Maciu and Kylie Vosa, along with their two children Ezeika and Ariella at the Accenture Chairman’s Club.

The Melbourne Rebels face the Fijian Drua in Round 6 of the Super Rugby Pacific season, kicking off at 7:45 PM (AEDT). The math will be shown ad-free, live and on demand on Stan Sports.

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