John Sutton accepts that he can’t change the past, but the Rabbitohs great is changing the future – for himself and the Fiji Bati.
Sutton captained South Sydney to their drought breaking 2014 grand final win and is the most capped player in the history of the NRL’s oldest club, but his one burning regret has been that he never represented his Fijian heritage.
“I had a couple of opportunities but my body at the end of the NRL season just wasn’t right,” said Sutton, who qualifies for the Bati through his Rotuma-born mother, Elena.
“I regret not playing and I know it made my mum very upset that I didn’t get the chance to run out for the Fiji Bati.”
The former Rabbitohs star is now doing the next best thing after accepting an invitation from Bati mentor Wise Kativerata to join his coaching team as attack coach for the Pacific Championships.
Sutton, who played most of his 336-match career for Souths at five-eighth, has been working closely with halves Kevin Naiqama and Kurt Donoghoe as the Bati prepare for Saturday’s match at Suva’s HFC Stadium against Papua New Guinea.
While in camp with the Bati, he has also taken the opportunity to reconnect with his mother’s side of the family in Fiji.
“When Wise called me up to give me an opportunity to be part of the team I jumped at it,” Sutton said.
“I wanted to give back, I wanted to show my mum’s side of the family that it does mean something to me to be here, so I was very grateful that Wise gave me a call.
“My mum was very, very happy. I got to visit her sisters and they’re very excited for me to be here. All of my family are excited, so I’m just looking forward to these next couple of weeks with the team.”
Kativerata was aware of how Sutton felt but insists he didn’t invite him onto the coaching staff for sentimental reasons.
“When I rang John he was getting very emotional,” Kativerata said.
“He talked about his playing days, and I said, ‘brother, I can’t change what happened in the past, but I am looking at you not only coming on the coaching side of it but to help the future of Fiji rugby league’.
“John started as a five-eighth and he was one of the best five-eighths in the comp before he moved to the second-row.
“In Fiji we have strike everywhere, but we don’t have the No.6 and No.7 – the decision-making players – so John is here for the future of Fijian rugby league at No.6 and No.7.
“He has a role for Fijian rugby league as our attacking coach and he is enjoying it.”
Sutton, who will continue in his coaching role at Souths under Wayne Bennett next season, said he had been impressed by the talent in the Bati team and predicted more Fijian players would make the transition to the NRL.
“We’ve got a really good team and some really good players – some really young players and some experienced NRL players – so it’s a good mixture and I’m just looking forward to the games,” Sutton said.
“There’s so much talent over here, it just hasn’t been exposed yet and I’d love to come back here and find some more talent.
“I think there’s some great players over here, you’ve just got to play touch with the boys in the arvo and they show you how it’s done, so this is a great place for teams to come over and find some talent for sure.”
