Blues win it for the winger

The Blues have become the first custodians of new silverware by defeating the Fijian Drua 40–15 at Eden Park.

The Joeli Vidiri Memorial Trophy honours a Blues original, Counties Manukau classic and flying Fijian.

The sons of some of Vidiri’s contemporaries – including Spencer, Clarke and Lam – played key roles in turning a close-fought competition at half time into a decisive win.

In total, Vidiri represented the Steelers 71 times, the Blues (61), Fiji (7) and the All Blacks twice between 1994 and 2001.

“I’m ‘true Blues’ and a Counties man at heart,” he told Times Media’s Rural Living  magazine in 2016.

Blues coach Vern Cotter says Vidiri had a skillset that would still see him among the best in the business if he featured in today’s Super Rugby rosters.

“Joeli means a lot to this club. We watched a tribute video with some of his highlights – it’s emotional to look back, especially for some of the younger guys who haven’t seen much of his life,” he says.

“It inspired and gave them some extra motivation [for the trophy match] as well.”

Cotter, who is set to take up a new role with the Reds next season, is also well known to Steelers and Fiji fans. In addition to other playing and coaching roles, he represented Counties (late 1980s and early ‘90s) and coached the Fijian national team (2020–2023).

A graceful yet powerful outside back, Vidiri was as formidable as his Steelers and Blues teammate, Jonah Lomu. Also, much like Lomu, both his playing career and his life were cut short by kidney disease.

A champion of Pacific Island rugby, Vidiri would likely have been pleased to see a Super Rugby franchise representing Fiji.

“I think the New Zealand Rugby Union owes a lot to the Pacific Island nations. The number of talented players who’ve come [here] is incredible and any help New Zealand can offer the islands can only be good for them and the sport.”

After hammering opposition backlines during his playing days, Vidiri became the right man to ask when trying to find the right hammer at Mitre 10 Mega Pukekohe.

“I came here as a security guard when they started building, just to help out some mates [former Pukekohe club-mates Dean Littin, Gary Millington and Michael Scott],” he said in 2016. “After that, I stayed on. I really enjoy meeting people every day and helping them out.”

The Joeli Vidiri Memorial Trophy has been designed to reflect his mixed connections, with symbolic elements of both New Zealand and Fiji. It is up for grabs whenever the Blues and Drua face off in Super Rugby.

Vidiri’s family played a central role in match-day proceedings at Eden Park, including by awarding the trophy to its inaugural holders.