As Rugby Union was an amateur sport in the 1980s, the Club had to find him a job and the former coconut farmer, from the remote Vanua Balavu island in eastern Fiji, was taken on as a miner at South Crofty.

He returned to play for the Club for several seasons before making Cornwall his permanent home after meeting Camborne local Karen Lean, with whom he started a family after they married.

When Karen tragically died in 2005, Sireli was left to bring up Josh, Sam and Joel, all of whom subsequently played rugby professionally.

In later years Sireli suffered from ill health and it was typical of his whole-hearted and kind nature that in 2015 he used his, and the boys, contacts to organise a charity day at Camborne, to aid the Marie Therese home in Hayle where he was resident. The day raised £8500 for equipment for the home.

Roger Moyle who was instrumental in encouraging Sireli to join Camborne probably sums him up best "He had a massive frame and he entered the clubhouse like a true South Sea island warrior, he turned out to be an iconic player for us, loved wherever we went". So very true.

Our condolences go to Josh, Sam and Joel, and the family.

Andy Gill
Chairman
Camborne RFC