Collins Injera’s new life after Fiji Hall of Fame induction

• Collins Injera Fiji Hall of Fame induction early on in January marked a new chapter
• The former Kenya Sevens sees it a big honour
• His elder brother Humphrey Kayange was the first Kenyan Rugby player to be inducted into the Rugby Hall of Fame in 2015

Early January, Collins Injera Fiji Hall of Fame induction marked a new chapter in his life and Kenyan Rugby.

The star of the Kenyan Sevens team said it was a humble experience to be inducted into Fiji’s Rugby Town Walk of Fame in Sigatoka. The 2011 opening of the Rugby Town Walk of Fame. After South Africa’s Bryan Habana, Injera became the 12th person to get an honour in Sigatoka, a famous rugby-playing town in Fiji.

Injera is the second African player to receive the honour.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE INDUCTED INTO FIJI RUGBY HALL OF FAME

Collins Injera Fiji Hall of Fame induction means that he made significant contributions and accomplishments in Fiji’s rugby. Thus, he is recognized for this achievement by being honored with a place in the Hall of Fame.

Generally, it is a way to acknowledge and celebrate the outstanding contributions of Fiji players, coaches, administrators, and other rugby figures to the sport. Injera describes this as the nicest feeling he’s experienced in his entire rugby career. He never thought he would feel so great being honoured over 15,200 kilometres from home.

He is even more humbled by the fact that one of the world’s best rugby countries honoured him in such a manner.

Collins Injera Fiji Hall of fame. Photo/George Odo

HOW GOOD IS COLLINS INJERA IN RUGBY?

Injera is considered one of the best Kenya Sevens rugby players in the world. He is known for his speed, agility, and ball-handling skills and has a reputation as one of the most dangerous attackers on the circuit.

He has been a key player for the Kenyan national Sevens team, helping them to win several tournaments over the years. The Kenyan holds the record for most tries scored in World Rugby Sevens Series. And in 2018, he was named in the World Rugby Sevens Series Dream Team. He also represented Kenya in Rugby 15s and played for different clubs.

Therefore, Collins Injera Fiji Hall of Fame fete is well deserved. The veteran Kenyan rugby player is still in disbelief over the welcome he received throughout the villages of Sigatoka. He understood there aren’t as many rugby fans in Kenya as he had assumed. The fact that they all knew him in Fiji was amazing.

This made him perceive Fiji differently than he previously did because it was completely mind-blowing.  His elder brother Humphrey Kayange who also played for the Kenya Sevens, was the first Kenyan to be inducted into the Rugby Hall of Fame.

Kayange is a former Kenyan rugby player who is best known for his outstanding contributions to the sport of Sevens rugby. He is considered one of the greatest Sevens players of all time and has represented Kenya in multiple international tournaments, including the Rugby World Cup Sevens and the Commonwealth Games.

He was also a part of the Kenyan Sevens team that reached the 2009 Rugby World Cup Sevens finals. He is also known for his outstanding performances in the World Sevens Series tournaments. He was inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame in 2015, a recognition of his achievements and contributions to rugby.

WHY IS FIJI SPECIAL IN RUGBY?

Fiji Rugby team. Photo/ Mike Lee – KLC fotos for World Rugby

Besides Collins Injera Fiji Hall of Fame, Fiji’s rugby is pretty interesting because it is known for its strong rugby tradition and for producing some of the best Sevens and Fifteens players worldwide. Here are a few interesting facts about Fiji Rugby:

1. Fiji is considered one of the top teams in Sevens rugby, having won the Hong Kong Sevens tournament a record 15 times and the Rugby World Cup Sevens in 1997 and 2005.
2. Fiji has also produced some of the best Sevens players in the world, including Waisale Serevi, who is widely considered the greatest Sevens player of all time.
3. Rugby is deeply ingrained in Fijian culture, and many young boys grow up playing the sport and dreaming of representing their country on the international stage.
4. Fiji has also produced some of the best 15s players in the world, including Nemani Nadolo, Semi Radradra, and Josua Tuisova, known for their physicality and powerful running style.
5. Fiji has a unique style of play which is characterized by its fast-paced and open play, with an emphasis on offloading and running with the ball.
6. Fiji is also known for its traditional Kava ceremony, performed before and after rugby matches, to show respect and unity among players.
7. Fiji’s rugby team is also known for their pre-game rituals and the Cibi, which is a traditional Fijian war dance. It is performed by the players before the start of the match to show respect to their opponents and to intimidate them with their fierce and powerful display.