Akapusi Qera

Infobox Rugby Union biography
playername = Akapusi Qera


fullname = Akapusi Qera
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1984|4|24
cityofbirth = Suva
countryofbirth = Fiji
height = 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
weight = 16 st 1 lb (102 kg)
nickname =
school = Lelean Memorial School (01-02)

Suva Grammar School (03)

Wainganui Boys, New Zealand (04)
relatives =
position = Flanker
currentclub = Gloucester Rugby
clubnumber = 7
youthyears =
youthclubs =
years = 2007 ‐ 2006 - 2007 2005 - 2006Pertemps Bees Coastal Stallions
caps(points) = 22(40)27 (80) 7(35)
repyears = 2005- 2006-
repteam = Fiji Fiji Warriors
repcaps(points) = 18 (35) 6 (20)
pcupdate =
repupdate =

Akapusi Qera (born 24 April 1984 in Suva) is a Fijian professional rugby union player. Qera is from a sporting family, his father was an international cricketer for Fiji and his brother has also played test rugby for Fiji. Qera has played international rugby for Fiji and in the 2006 - 2007 season was included in the Fiji Sevens core squad.

While playing for Pertemps Bees during the 2006 - 2007 season, in which he finished their highest try scorer, he was voted Fiji rugby player of the year. Later on in the season he was nominated for Fiji sportsman of the year and eventually finished second to golfer Vijay Singh.

During the 2006 - 2007 season Qera attracted interest from many Guinness Premiership clubs and eventually a deal was made between Pertemps Bees and Gloucester Rugby whom he joined in the 2007 - 2008 season. Qera was a key player for Fiji during their Rugby World Cup 2007 campaign in France in which he scored three tries. Qera was voted 3rd in the Guinness Premiership player of the season awards for 2007-08.

Club rugby

Coastal Stallions

Qera's first professional club were the Coastal Stallions whom he played for during the 2005 - 2006 season. The Stallions who compete in Colonial Cup were one of the franchises set up in 2004 when the league became professional. During his time with the Stallions Qera made numerous representative appearances for the Fiji U21 side before progressing to the test squad in 2005. In total Qera made seven appearances for the Stallions scoring seven tries.

Pertemps Bees

Qera relocated to play professional club rugby in England for Pertemps Bees. During his season at Pertemps Bees he was the club's top try scorer and the highest scoring forward in National Division One. Before playing for Pertemps Bees Qera lived in Wellington, New Zealand.

Gloucester Rugby

Akapusi moved to Gloucester, who play in the Guinness Premiership, at the start of the 2007-08 season. He scored his first try for the club against Bourgoin in a 51-27 victory for Gloucester at Kingsholm. On 17 January 2008 Akapusi signed a new contract with Gloucester until 2010. On 19th April 2008 Qera scored a hat-trick in Gloucester's Guinness Premiership match versus Leeds Carnegie.In May 2008 Qera was nominated for the Guinness Premiership Player of the Year award for 2007-08, eventually finishing in third place behind England internationals Olly Barkley and James Simpson-Daniel. Gloucester Head Coach Dean Ryan said of Qera's debut Premiership season, "Akapusi's impact on the Premiership last season was tremendous and he produced a number of world class performances". In July 2008 Qera had surgery to repair his anterior cruciate ligament and as a result he will miss the start of the 2008-09 season.

International rugby

Qera has represented Fiji at U19 and U21 level before making his full Fiji debut against Samoa in 2005. Qera has since been voted Fiji rugby player of the year and has made 16 appearances for his country which have included 6 tries. He was also included in the Fiji sevens training squad for 2006 - 2007 but was unable to attend due to his Pertemps Bees contract. Qera made an impact at the Rugby World Cup 2007 managing to cross for two tries in his sides 31-35 win over Japan, he then played in the game against Canada four days later and also played and scored the opening try in the 38-34 victory over Wales. This win clinched Fiji's qualification to the quarter finals in which they lost 37-20 to the eventual World Champions South Africa.

References

External links

* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/my_club/gloucester/6619169.stm Gloucester Rugby sign Qera]
* [http://www.gloucesterrugby.co.uk/323_3332.php Gloucester Rugby profile]