Expansion is on the charts for a rugby cafe that was established by three rugby players.
The Rugby Café – Matawalu Milk Bar in Sigatoka Town is expected to set up a franchise around the country.
On the menu are names of dishes that include Tuisova Bus Burgers, Serevi Scones, Naca’s Chicken Soup and Line Out Toasties.
A locker room offers rugby fans a chance to meet their favourite players.
A book allows fans to pen a message for their favourite rugby player.
A projector is used to display the highlights of the selected player of the week.
The cafe owns a family farm where it sources fresh crop that include ops, lettuce, tomatoes, eggplant.
Move to Suva
Director Helen Regan said the cafe was one of four businesses in mind.
“We’re looking at moving to Suva,” she said.
“Then there’s a different part of our extreme sort of businesses that we’re looking at.”
To help set the business aside from other cafes, management sent questions to international players in Europe.
Queries included players’ favourite coffee and favourite bible verses.
More importantly, the cafe was the perfect platform for fans to meet their favourite rugby players.
Family and connection
Owned by One Tribe Trading, the cafe has four directors, which include:
- Fijian Drua and Flying Fijian reps Peni Matawalu,
- Wales-based rep Nikola Matawalu, and
- Pauliasi Matawalua.
Regan
The cafe was five years in the making.
“They said we’re going to do it, so Peni came back from the World Cup, sat down, and here we are today,” Ms Regan said.
Ms Regan lived in Fiji for more than two decades.
“This business is for the diehard rugby fans and the locals,” she said.
“Rugby has put Fiji on the world map, and united the nation.
“Everyone knows how cool our rugby players are, so, I consider it quite privileged to have this family in my life.”
According to Ms Regan, the four directors contributed equally in the business.
“I’m the brains behind it; the boys, the brothers, have all come on board with their ideas,” she said.
Nikola
Former Flying Fijians rep Nikola Matawalu said he first played rugby in Nadroga, where he also watched his rugby idol, the late Aminiasi ‘Steelman’ Naituyaga.
Feedback: frederica.elbourne@fijisun.com.fj