Emoni Narawa: 'Monday was probably one of the best days of my life'

Another dramatic All Blacks selection story has emerged this week, with Emoni Narawa revealing he missed Scott Robertson’s call due to the birth of his second daughter.

It was the Fijian flyer’s firstborn who inspired his breakout Super Rugby season in 2023, with the realities of fatherhood hitting hard as a breathing issue caused baby Narawa to require 24/7 oxygen throughout her first four months of life.

The family would’ve been hoping for a much smoother experience with their second addition, and for the most part, they got it.

“Monday was probably one of the best days of my life,” the 26-year-old told the Aotearoa Rugby Pod. “I got named in the All Blacks and then had a baby a couple of hours later. Can’t beat that!”

It was an eventful week for All Blacks selectees, with fellow Chiefs winger Leroy Carter revealing his Passport was eaten by his dog just days out from his maiden All Blacks tour.

For Narawa, the coach’s call was answered by his partner, already in pre-labour.

“I actually wasn’t aware of it (the selection call). I went to the dairy to get some snacks, and while driving back to the hospital, my partner called me and said ‘You made the team’, so I was pretty stoked. And then about two hours later, a newborn.”

After a couple of seasons at the Blues, where he struggled to crack the matchday 23, Narawa shifted south to the Chiefs, where he found his groove. Funnily enough, it was in Super Rugby’s ‘Kid’s Round’ that Narawa’s name started to hit headlines.

After a game-breaking performance against the Rebels, Narawa started floating around in All Blacks selection debates. That momentum continued, and he made his international debut in The Rugby Championship before earning selection in the All Blacks’ World Cup squad, only to then miss out on playing due to injury.

“For me, it’s my family that takes me out of those hard days. I’ve got two girls to look after now, and I’ve got my lovely partner who’s always there for me. They’re my why, being able to provide for them, and when I’m going through those tough days, those tough injuries, being able to bounce back, I’m definitely grateful to my family.”

The sense of purpose found in family was instilled in Narawa at a young age, with his upbringing in Fiji teaching him that you have to work for everything.

“Dad was a full-time teacher, but what he was bringing in was probably just enough for us. I bought my first pair of boots by selling watermelons on the side of the road.”

Progressing into high school, the three-cap international attended Queen Victoria School in Fiji, where he played rugby alongside some familiar faces.

“Being in the same team as Jim (Timoci Tavatavanawai) and Sevu (Reece), we all went to the same school. Little did we know back then that we all had the same goal, and that was to wear the black jersey. Looking back on it now, it’s quite cool.”