Sowakula’s special journey back home At a glance

From just three-weeks-old, Pita Gus Sowakula was cradled in the arms of his aunty and uncle, who brought him up while his mother attended school in Lautoka.

Twenty-seven years later, that little baby boy returns to his hometown in Fiji quite the grown man – all 1.95 metres and 110kg of him – with his own wee bundle of joy in tow, in the midst of a thriving rugby career which has him on the verge of an All Blacks call-up.

Fresh off celebrating his 50th match for the Chiefs last weekend, today’s clash against the Fijian Drua is something else in the significance stakes for the former resort chef who now, rather than in the kitchen, goes about concocting his salivating offerings on the footy field.

A former national basketball rep, Sowakula also played rugby league and sevens before making the shift to New Zealand in 2016 when his agent brokered a deal to get the former winger – yes, winger – a spot in the Taranaki rugby academy.

Called into the Chiefs as injury cover in 2018, the powerful, athletic No 8 has taken his game to new levels, so much so he has had contact from the All Blacks ahead of July’s test series against Ireland.

‘‘A few messages from the coaches – just to play my game and finish off the season strong and hopefully be in that environment soon,’’ Sowakula told Stuff this week.

Before that, though, comes a match against a Drua side which has been thrashed in its two outings on Kiwi soil in the past three weeks, but which Sowakula knows will present as a dangerous, nothing-to-lose prospect in their first-ever outing in Lautoka, against a Chiefs side who need a win to guarantee a home quarterfinal next weekend.

What: Super Rugby Pacific

Who: Fijian Drua v Chiefs

Where, when: Churchill Park, Lautoka; 3pm today

Fijian Drua: Kitione Taliga, Ilaisa Droasese, Apisalome Vota, Kalaveti Ravouvou, Vinaya Habosi, Teti Tela, Frank Lomani, Nemani Nagusa (c), Rusiate Nasove, Joseva Tamani, Viliame Rarasea, Isoa Nasilasila, Kaliopasi Uluilakepa, Zuriel Togiatama, Haereiti Hetet. Reserves: Tevita Ikanivere, Timoci Sauvoli, Manasa Saulo, Chris Minimbi, Mesulame Dolokoto, Peni Matawalu, Caleb Muntz, Onisi Ratave.

Chiefs: Kaleb Trask, Emoni Narawa, Rameka Poihipi, Quinn Tupaea, Alex Nankivell, Bryn Gatland, Brad Weber (c), Pita Gus Sowakula, Luke Jacobson, Samipeni Finau, Tupou Vaa’i, Brodie Retallick, Angus Ta’avao, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Aidan Ross. Reserves: Bradley Slater, Ollie Norris, Atu Moli, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Kaylum Boshier, Cortez Ratima, Josh Ioane, Jonah Lowe.