It’s gold all the way for rugby playing couple Lofi (Atolofi) and Nikita Lapa, who are Mid Canterbury Rugby’s first couple to don the green and gold jerseys together.
Whenever they put on a rugby jersey, it’s either blue and gold for Hampstead Rugby Club – the only club they have played for in the district – or the green and gold to represent the province.
Nikita said achieving the milestone of being the first couple to don the Mid Canterbury rep jerseys in the same season was quite special, not just for her and Lofi but also for their children.
‘‘To see mum and dad doing something they love and achieving milestones together. To us in this moment it’s hard to describe how we feel but in the future when we look back I’m sure we will be proud of each other and this milestone,’’ she said.
Lofi made his Heartland Championship debut in 2018, while for Nikita this has been her first playing for Mid Canterbury.
Loft said he was selected from the development squad and had played in the development squad on and off since.
Lofi is a seasoned veteran taking to the field starting with league while he was at school and then switching to union in 2015 after moving from Auckland, where he played for Bay Roskill, to Ashburton.
Lofi said he has always played some form of sport.
‘‘I have always loved rugby,’’ he said.
Nikita said it was her sister Jordyn who got her into rugby.
‘‘She begged and begged me to play and because I’ve played sport all my life I thought why not.
‘‘I was hesitant to begin with because I was so scared of getting hurt but she just wouldn’t take no for an answer and I’m glad she pushed me to give it a go,’’ Nikita said.
While they were both members of the Hampstead Rugby Club, they actually met through a mutual friend in 2016 after being part of the club for about 10 years.
‘‘I enjoy playing rugby but it’s not so much the game, the game is always the same. It’s the club, the team mates and being part of an awesome environment that I enjoy,’’ Lofi said
‘‘I enjoy the social aspect of the game, being parents of five kids you don’t find alot of time for yourself so being able to head to training and games have some me time, meet a lot of new people and build some really awesome connections is great,’’ Nikita said.
The couple have never played against each other and, as they were super competitive were unsure it would be a good idea to be in opposing teams.
‘‘He (Lofi) did tackle me last Christmas playing in the backyard and I think that’s where my fear of getting hurt come from because there was definitely some power behind that tackle,’’ Nikita said.
The Lapa’s were quick to acknowledge they had been helped and supported by many people including their babysitters and Mid Canterbury Rugby to achieve the milestone of playing together and also appreciated the support of their home club Hampstead.
