The 29-year-old had just played inside centre in Gunnedah's 17-10 trial win over Tamworth at Rugby Park on Saturday. It is his second season at the club.

An easy conversationalist, the married father of three - who grew up in the Fiji highlands - spoke about "loving the country life" after living in Brisbane for 11 years and playing for Souths there, including "a couple" of first-grade games.

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"It's pretty different from Brisbane - nice and quiet," he said.

Nasilivata also spoke about how joining the Red Devils had provided him and his family with an ideal entree into Gunnedah life.

"It pretty much connects everything," he said of the Red Devils, adding: "You know where everyone is and what they're doing and stuff like that."

Playing for the reigning minor premiers "brings us together", Nasilivata said of Gunnedah's Fiji community.

"It's not as big as Tamworth," he continued, in reference to the town's Fiji population, "but there's a community."

Nasilivata works at the Maules Creek mine. He came to Gunnedah in early 2020, with his family joining him eight months later.

"I thought I'd join the union club and give it a go with the community," he said.

His wife, Timaleti, was "a bit busy" caring for their children - two boys and a girl aged one to three, he said.

Blake Clout played in the centres for Tamworth on Saturday. Lining up opposite Nasilivata was "pretty tough", he said.

He added: "Fijian fellas are always a tough gig ... They just love the contact, I suppose, and they're always moving. So, it's a bit of a handful."

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