He still hasn't been able to meet his baby daughter Rosie, but Semi Valemei is doing everything he can to stay connected with his family as Fiji grapples a belated COVID-19 pandemic.
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Valemei bought his nearest and dearest a television and a Sky Sports subscription, meaning they can now watch his NRL Raiders appearances from the comfort of their own lounge room.
They watched with delight on Saturday as Valemei's return to the top grade coincided with Canberra snapping a five-match losing run with a come-from-behind win over Canterbury.
The 22-year-old also sent a stack of Raiders merchandise to the Pacific Island nation at the end of his rookie year last season, despite not yet being able to physically return home himself.
Fiji has been largely shielded by the global coronavirus pandemic, but the virus has found its way into the country and case numbers have now hit triple figures.
"It's pretty bad at the moment, they're in lockdown I think for three weeks now," the quietly spoken Valemei said.
"When they opened the border from India that's where the COVID came through.
"The good about my family, because they live in a small island, they're pretty safe, it's not going there. They've only got COVID in the main island."
Valemei was hopeful he would be able to visit his daughter, who was born in September last year, at the end of the season.
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But until then his goal is to hold down his spot in the NRL.
"It's pretty hard. I haven't seen her since she was born," Valemei said.
"The only thing I can do is just Facetiming her because I can't get over to [see] her.
"I feel pretty good to be back into the side. The boys have given me good feedback from training in the week - it was good to get out there and get a win."
James Buckley
James is a Queanbeyan boy enjoying his second stint at the Canberra Times, more than eight years on from his first. In between he's traveled the world, and spent time covering sport in Sydney.
James is a Queanbeyan boy enjoying his second stint at the Canberra Times, more than eight years on from his first. In between he's traveled the world, and spent time covering sport in Sydney.
