Seru Rabeni
Ratu Seru Rabeni was a Fijian rugby union player. He played as a centre or wing. At both club and international level, his physicality and heavy tackles earned him the nickname "Rambo".
Career
Early career
Rabeni was born and raised in Bua, Fiji, and played rugby union since his early schooldays at Ratu Kadavulevu School. He first played provincial rugby for Lautoka in 1998–99 while studying at Lautoka Teachers College, before moving on to the capital's club Suva in 2000. Rabeni made his Sevens debut in Dubai in 1998, playing in two Hong Kong Sevens tournaments. He played at both U21 and U23 level for Fiji before making his test debut in May 2000 against Japan in Tokyo during the Epson Cup tournament. An ankle injury saw him miss the remainder of the tournament.In 2001, Rabeni took up a three-year degree course at the University of Otago, New Zealand, and the following year played 7 games for Otago in the National Provincial Championship before gaining a Super 12 contract with Highlanders for whom he played a dozen games over the 2003 and 2004 season.
Europe
Rabeni signed for English club Leicester Tigers shortly after being named in the Pacific Islanders squad. Rabeni scored 12 tries in 39 appearances, but suffered from knee injuries throughout his time at Welford Road, leading to him missing a season. He was also banned for 14 weeks for gouging Saracens player Andy Kyriacou in April 2008. In his time at Leicester he helped them win the Premiership in 2007, starting in the final.In 2009 he was signed up by fellow Guinness Premiership team Gloucester on a 3-year deal. However, in August the deal fell through when he failed a medical. After this move fell through, he signed for newcomers Leeds Carnegie.
In 2010 he signed for French newcomers in Top 14 Stade Rochelais. Rabeni's final professional rugby signing was for the 2012–13 season when they were promoted to the Top 14.
International
Rabeni toured New Zealand with Fiji in 2002, and the same year played Wales at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. He appeared for Fiji Sevens in the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester. In 2003 he toured with the national side to South America, scoring a try in the 41–16 victory over Chile in Santiago. In 2004, he played in all three games for the newly formed Pacific Islanders, scoring a try against in Albany and 2 conversions against South Africa in Gosford.Rabeni played for the Pacific Islanders numerous times and was one of a few players to go on every tour, in 2004, 2006 and 2008. He scored 3 tries and 2 conversions.
Rabeni started all four of Fiji's pool games in the 2003 Rugby World Cup, playing at centre in the games against France and the USA in Brisbane, Japan in Townsville and Scotland in Sydney.
Rabeni represented Fiji in the 2007 World Cup in France playing in all 4 Pool B games and the quarterfinals. He demonstrated his tackling ability against Australia, injuring two of their players. He was also instrumental in the Pool B decider helping Fiji beat Wales 38–34 and reach the quarterfinals for the 2nd time since 1987. He ended the cup with only one try, against Japan in their opening game.
Coaching career
During the summer 2013, Rabeni moved to the United States to become an Assistant Coach for the college rugby team of Lindenwood University in Saint Louis, Missouri.In September 2014, Rabeni then moved to Hong Kong to be with his life partner, Susan Macdonald, and daughter, Ayami Rabeni, where he was focusing on completing his Masters in Sports Marketing & Business Management that led to the Head Coach position of the Discovery Bay Pirates focusing on youth and was set as a player coach for the Pirates Championship team. He was to work alongside Craig Hammond of Hong Kong Scottish where he would have likewise played for this premiership team.