{"id":218,"date":"2023-10-23T07:53:54","date_gmt":"2023-10-23T04:53:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wikidollar.net\/2023\/10\/13\/fijis-levani-botia-rugbys-demolition-man\/"},"modified":"2023-10-23T07:53:56","modified_gmt":"2023-10-23T04:53:56","slug":"fijis-levani-botia-rugbys-demolition-man","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wikidollar.net\/?p=218","title":{"rendered":"Fiji’s Levani Botia: From prison officer to rugby’s ‘Demolition Man’"},"content":{"rendered":"

MARSEILLE, France — Trying to shift Fiji flanker Levani Botia once he’s clinging to the ball at the breakdown is like “hitting a wall,” according to a rival player. Botia is one of the best defenders in the world, having started his career in the centers, and if England are to beat Fiji this weekend then they will have to nullify his incredible skills.<\/p>\n

England have trained this week with Botia in mind, using one of their own to play the 34-year-old’s role. The man<\/a> himself, nicknamed “The Machine” and “Demolition Man”, finds this a bit strange. The ever-changing nuances of rugby<\/a> mean the intricacies of breakdowns require a supercomputer to decipher, but Botia sees it with perfect clarity. “What I do on the pitch, people say it’s hard, but nothing is difficult,” Botia said Thursday. “Anyone can do this. If you play rugby you can do it, it’s not difficult.<\/p>\n

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“I just look at what’s in front of me. I just look at what’s good for the team, I choose what’s good on the pitch. When the game starts, people are tired, the right moment will come.”<\/p>\n

It’s all wonderfully understated, but Botia has already left a trail of rugby carnage in his wake. He is one of the most admired players in the sport \u2013 extremely calm and humble, but with the ability to influence a match in the blink of an eye. Saracens saw this to their cost against La Rochelle in the Champions Cup in April. Other opposition players speak of him with a sense of admiration and respect.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe best thing about him is his technique,\u201d \u200b\u200bEngland number 8 Billy Vunipola said earlier this week<\/a>. “He’s very quick to decide whether he should go for the ball or not. Then it’s his size and his low center of gravity. If you give him an opportunity it becomes difficult, but there’s no than him.”<\/p>\n

That phrase \u201cit\u2019s not just him\u201d is a no-brainer when assessing Fiji\u2019s many threats, because selflessness anchors their mantra. \u201cIt\u2019s not just me, I work<\/a> in a team, I don\u2019t work alone every time,\u201d Botia says. “That’s what people say. For me, I just focus on how teamwork brings everything together.”<\/p>\n