Coronavirus pandemic keeps Fijian Raider's family apart

It's one of the many heart-breaking stories to come out of the coronavirus pandemic that has prevented the Canberra Raiders winger from returning to his native Fiji to visit his daughter.

He hasn't been back to his homeland since January last year - before the COVID-19 virus shutdown international travel across the globe.

A travel bubble between Australia and New Zealand has allowed injured Raiders fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (neck) to return home to watch his eldest son Rio play his first game of rugby league this weekend.

But there's no such bubble in place with Fiji, meaning Valemei would need to spend time he doesn't have in quarantine.

Instead, Valemei's preparing to help the Green Machine end their five-game losing streak when they go up against the Canterbury Bulldogs at Lang Park on Saturday.

It will be his first game of the 2021 NRL season, having played 10 games last year in his debut campaign.

Rosie was born the night before he scored two tries against the New Zealand Warriors in round 19 last year - the Fijian flyer pointing to her name on his wrist as he celebrated.

If he can produce a similar feat against the Bulldogs it will go a long way to ending the Raiders' drought.

"She's alright. She's growing up so fast," Valemei said.

"No I haven't had a chance yet [to visit Fiji], but hopefully soon.

"The restrictions and quarantine and stuff, hopefully soon I get the chance to go back and see my family.

"It's pretty hard, it's pretty hard. It's a lot harder not being able to see your mum and your dad, your family, brothers and sisters every day.

"Not being able to see them during the breaks, it's really hard."

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Valemei's come in for the injured Jordan Rapana (hamstring), as one of four changes Raiders coach Ricky Stuart has made.

Josh Hodgson (calf) has returned from injury, while Dunamis Lui and Ryan James have come in for Ryan Sutton (elbow), who's only expecting to miss one game, and Joe Tapine (knee).

Valemei revealed he'd been able to lean on his Raiders teammates, as well as Canberra's Fijian community, while he was isolated from his family.

"I've got a Fijian family in Canberra, in the Fijian community, so sometimes they call me, I go to their place, it's pretty chilled, they make me feel welcome," he said.

"Also I spend a lot of time with the boys here at training."

NRL ROUND 10

Saturday: Canberra Raiders v Canterbury Bulldogs at Lang Park, 3pm.

Raiders squad: 1. Caleb Aekins, 2. Bailey Simonsson, 3. Sebastian Kris, 4. Curtis Scott, 5. Semi Valemei, 6. Jack Wighton, 7. George Williams, 8. Josh Papalii, 9. Tom Starling, 10. Emre Guler, 11. Corey Harawira-Naera, 12. Elliott Whitehead (c), 13. Hudson Young. Interchange: 14. Josh Hodgson, 15. Dunamis Lui, 16. Corey Horsburgh, 17. Ryan James. Reserves: 18. Sam Williams, 19. Matt Timoko.

Bulldogs squad: 1. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 2. Nick Cotric, 3. Will Hopoate, 4. Nick Meaney, 5. Tuipulotu Katoa, 6. Brandon Wakeham, 7. Jake Averillo, 16. Ava Seumanufagai, 9. Sione Katoa, 10. Luke Thompson, 11. Adam Elliott, 12. Chris Smith, 13. Renouf Atoni. Interchange: 14. Bradley Deitz, 15. Corey Waddell, 17. Matt Doorey. Reserves: 20. Joe Stimson, 21. Aaron Schoupp, 23. Ofahiki Ogden.