Soldier Ratu Naulago on way to stardom after taking leave to join Hull FC

The Fijian winger has made a stunning impact since making Hull's team, scoring three tries in two matches.

However, he is only there after being told he can take leave from duty in order to chase his rugby dream from his superiors at the 12th Armoured Infantry Brigade.

Naulago is a Private in the Yorkshire Regiment and served in Cyprus for two years before being based in Warminster, Wiltshire, and playing rugby union as a 'guest player' for Bath and Saracens' Sevens team, who he helped to the Premiership title.

But he crossed codes to go on trial at the Black and Whites and he is becoming a star – and tackling stars like Sam Tomkins, Jermaine McGillvary and Tommy Makinson is nothing compared to approaching his chiefs for permission to take up a one-year deal.

Naulago recalled: "When I got the call to come to Hull, I needed to get permission from my senior officers. They’ve always been supportive of me so although I was nervous when I went to ask for permission it wasn’t too bad!

"We played a lot of rugby in the unit which was good bonding time and the Yorkshire Regiment is probably one of the best sporting regiments in the Army, so they were really supportive in releasing me to join Hull."

So far Naulago is two wins from two appearances after scoring against Wigan and Huddersfield.

And he is on his way to adding his name to a huge list of star wingers from the Pacific island – including Akuila Uate, Suliasi Vunivalu, Semesa Rokoduguni, Joe Cokanasiga, Semi Radradra and Marika Koroibete.

However, the man who left a farming background in his homeland at 18 to join the British Army, has a different role model.

But he admits rugby league is just like playing Sevens, only for 80 minutes.

Naulago added: "As with every young Fijian, professional rugby is always a real ambition in order to support your family and friends back in Fiji.

"There are a lot of talented rugby players back in Fiji and I feel that with the right development there is some real potential on the island.

"You can see that with some of the players that are playing around the world now in both codes.

"I’ve always looked up to Isoa Damudamu, who was the first Fijian serving in the British Army to be in the England Sevens team and is now the British Army Sevens coach.

"He taught me an awful lot, both on the pitch and off it, particularly the sacrifice and commitment that it takes to succeed in professional sport.

"Sevens is rugby at full on intensity for 14 minutes, whereas rugby league is much more physical, at a similar intensity but for a full 80 minutes!

"But even though I’ve played rugby union I’ve always been interested in rugby league and have watched plenty of the sport. When I heard that Hull were interested in taking a look at me I knew this would be a great opportunity to play at a professional level."

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