MESULAME Tuiweli Serukalou, the first Fijian to don Indias national rugby jumper, helped the Indian national team to a 34-5 win over Pakistan on debut in the HSBC Asian Five Nations Championship in Malaysia.
Born and raised in Namoli, Lautoka, Serukalou scored just before half-time leaving India with a 22-0 lead.
Thrashing the much improved Pakistan 34-5, Serukalou and his team will advance into the Asian Five Nations Championship Division Three final against Guam.
Speaking from Kuala Lumpur, flanker Serukalou said that ever since he was selected into the team, his aim was to score a try.
I wanted this to be a memorable match for me as this is the first time I am playing for India, he said.
I am very happy with the way we played against Pakistan, the boys are all fit and we deserved to win.
India, ranked 77th in the world, enjoyed an easy triumph over arch-rivals Pakistan, who are placed four spots above them on the IRB ranking.
This win was very important for us.
After playing for the Jungle Crows club in Kolkata for five years, Serukalou believed his dedication and sacrifice paid off when the officials from the India Rugby team called him up and told him to join the national side for the Asian tournament.
Ive always dreamt to be part of the Indian national side. He said that contributing to his sides total score was memorable.
India is one step away from winning back their berth in Division Two, a place they lost last year.
Serukalou came to India five years ago to assist in a non-government organisation that helps underprivileged kids.