Chiefs loose forward Pita Gus Sowakula, a rising star in New Zealand Rugby, is known for his ability to offload, his quickness on his feet and overall skill. He is a former Fiji Basketball rep.

Sowakula is being touted as a possible future All-Black and will come into contention for a back row spot in 2020 after the retirement of Kieran Read.

He is however still eligible for Fiji. His early season form has put him in the spotlight and should he continue to impress, he will be playing test rugby in the near future.

Sowakula played rugby union and rugby league at Secondary school level for Central College Lautoka. In 2012, he was vice captain of the Central U18 team which won the national trophy in rugby league.

In the same year, he also played and won the national trophy in Secondary schools rugby union sevens. Pita was also part of the Central College U19 soccer team which won the U19 Secondary schools IDC and national IDC for the 3rd time in a row with the likes of Napolioni Qasevakatini, Laisari Qalica and Rusiate Matarerega.

After Secondary school, he had a short stint with Nadroga rugby union before moving on to New Zealand. In between all these times he was playing basketball for the school team and Fiji team since he comes from a basketball family.

Special thanks to Ifereimi Naisoro via Facebook.