Rfn Vereimi Qorowale (2 Rifles) is determined to make the most of the opportunity of a lifetime as a professional player at Newcastle Falcons.
Rfn Qorowale joined the Kingston Park outfit at the start of pre-season training in one of the more unexpected signings of the summer, with the Falcons looking to turn the potential of the 106kg, 1.86m wing into a talent which can compete at Premiership level.
Although he has played for Belfast Harlequins and London Irish Wild Geese, Rfn Qorowale’s highest level of rugby to date has been with the red shirts on the Super Sevens Series and other competitions during the summer. So while he is relishing the chance to soak up all of the experience around him in a Newcastle squad which includes internationals such as Adam Radwan (England) and Mateo Carreras (Argentina) he is also the first to admit that there is a lot to learn.
“It was my dream to play professional rugby,” Rfn Qorowale says. “There were another two clubs who were showing interest in me to come and play for them, but Newcastle gave me a good offer and straight away I was being told by my agent that they wanted me.
“I started with pre-season and getting ready for 15s at this level. There was some intense training in pre-season and up in the north weather-wise it wasn’t too bad!
“The intensity was a bit of a shock, but every time I go out I try to be on top of my levels and good in everything, because there are international players in my position. You have to be accurate in everything, and the coaches have been really helpful with me because I’ve not played much 15s in England, where the game is quite structured. They want everything to have lots of detail.”
Performances with the Army 7s team attracted interest from Newcastle Falcons.
Image – Alligin Photography © Cat Goryn
Rfn Qorowale is quick to praise the club’s coaches for taking time to help and encourage him.
“All the coaches, the defence coach, the attacking coach, and Dave Walder, are always cheering me up,” he says. “They are there to help me, and for the past few months that I’ve been with Newcastle I have been asking questions, getting [attack coach] Mark Laycock to help me with my kicking, and some time after sessions with [defence coach] Mark Wilson on techniques to steal the ball. Everyone’s been really helpful.”
Six weeks into the season and Rfn Qorowale already has his first appearance, coming off the bench as the Falcons secured a rare away win at Leicester Tigers in the Premiership Rugby Cup.
Newcastle scored the winning try while the winger was on the field, and it clearly made a lasting impression.
“I got seven or eight minutes on the field and we were 25-31 down and I was sitting on the outside wanting to do something to make my mark for Newcastle,” he says. “I think I saved a try, because their number eight ignored a three-on-one and I was the one, and he just took it in.
“Then we turned it over, and scored a try to win, and the boys were saying that I had had a good impact. I think it was a good seven minutes for me.
“Everyone was in a good mood on the long drive home!”
Imi is enjoying his time at his new club and soaking in all that he can from the experience around him.
Image provided by Newcastle Falcons
Having experienced the top flight, Rfn Qorowale would also be ready for red shirt action, if the call comes in the new year, saying that it would be a way for him to thank the Army and his chain of command for their support of him as he pursues his dream.
“At Premiership level I want to learn as much as I can, and if Army Rugby wants me to come it will be my pleasure to don the red shirt and represent what I work for,” he says. “The Army has been there to give me an opportunity to showcase my talent, which got me here to Newcastle.
“Everyone in my chain of command has been really supportive, every time Army Sevens sent the call notice my Platoon Sergeant, Sgt Rochester, was there to make sure that I was able to represent the Army, and I hope that everyone from my CO and throughout 2 Rifles is happy for me to represent them.”
Newcastle Head Coach, Dave Walder, says that he is pleased with Rfn Qorowale’s attitude since he joined the club.
“Imi has been a positive presence around the camp, he is keen to learn and is working hard to improve every day,” he says.
“It has obviously been a big change for him moving from the Army into a full-time professional sporting environment, but he has a willingness to learn and is doing his best to take this opportunity.”
Words © New Dogs, Old Tricks
Header Image – Alligin Photography © Cat Goryn
Featured Image provided by Newcastle Falcons
