The Seattle Seawolves signed Fijian Apisai Naikatini for the 2019 Major League Rugby season. The 33-years-old lock, 6’5″, and 255 lbs.
Api was born in Nadi, Fiji and attended Marist Brothers High School and Natabua High School. While in New Zealand he also attended Wanganui City College.
He played club rugby for Northern United RFC in Wellington beginning in 2006 and provincial rugby with Wellington from 2006-2013, making 39 appearances. He played in the 2007 Air New Zealand Cup, helping the team advance to the final. They would also return to the final in 2008 and 2009.
In 2007 Api provided the Argentina 7s team with injury cover at the Wellington 7s. He played in the last match, but was not capped, allowing him to later play with the Fiji 15s team in 2012.
Api also played for the Super Rugby Hurricanes in 2009, coming in as a replacement against the Cheetahs. He also played for the Hurricanes B side in the 2011 Pacific Rugby Cup. During Wellington’s off-season Api played in the Top League for the Toyota Verblitz from 2011-13.
Api made his international debut for Fiji in the 2012 IRB Pacific Nations Cup at lock and scored his first try the following year with the team winning the 2013 PNC. He would make 18 appearances with the National team between 2012-2015. He also named to the extended squad for the 2015 Rugby World Cup, but ultimately had non-traveling reserve status.
In 2013 he returned to Wellington and helped the team win the ITM Cup. In December 2013 he signed with Top 14 Brive for the remainder of the 2013-2014 season and then switched to Agen for 2014-2015. Then it was onto Abuenas in the French Fédérale 1 before returning to New Zealand to play club rugby with Johnsonville.
In 2019 Api will apply his athletic skills for the Seattle Seawolves. He is an aerial threat on kickoffs and in lineouts.
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