Jimi Damu

Jimi Damu
Birth nameJames Vulavou Damu
Date of birth(1962-08-15)15 August 1962
Place of birthSavusavu, Fiji
Date of death9 October 2018(2018-10-09) (aged 56)
Place of deathAuckland, New Zealand
Height5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Weight198 lb (90 kg)
Notable relative(s)Ilaitia Damu (brother)[1][2]
Rugby union career
Position(s) Wing
Amateur team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
– Grammar Carlton ()
Provincial / State sides
Years Team Apps (Points)
1984–1991 Auckland 15 (36)
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
1985–1987 Fiji 4 (14)

James Vulavou Damu, known as Jimi Damu (15 July 1967 in Savusavu – 9 October 2018) was a New Zealand–based Fijian rugby union player. He played as wing.

Career

His first international cap was against Ireland XV, at Lansdowne Road, on 19 October 1985.

He was part of the 1987 Rugby World Cup roster. In the tournament he only played the quarter-final against France, at Auckland and scored a try. He was not called since after Fiji's defeat against France in the 1987 World Cup. In the squad he was the only player non residing in Fiji, as required by the selection policy at the time.[3] In the National Provincial Championship he played for Auckland.

Damu also played for Fiji Bitter Marist Sevens.[4]

At the time of the 2011 Rugby World Cup, Damu, along with his brother Ilaitia and former Flying Fijians Koli Rakoroi, Acura Niuqila, Willie Rokowailoa, Inoke Male and Isikeli Tikoduadua formed a committee called Ex-Fiji Reps with a campaign to raise $3 million in less than six months time in order to assist Fiji's preparation for the 2011 Rugby World Cup.[5][6]

Notes

  1. ^ Ex-Reps help out
  2. ^ Rugby in the blood
  3. ^ Recruiting top talent across borders is under microscope at Rugby World Cup
  4. ^ History of the tournament
  5. ^ Ex-Reps help out
  6. ^ Rugby in the blood