Date of birth | 24 April 1984 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Place of birth | Suva, Fiji | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Height | 1.94 m (6 ft 4 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Weight | 112 kg (17 st 9 lb; 247 lb)[1] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
School | Lelean Memorial School Suva Grammar School Wanganui City College | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Notable relative(s) | Lydia Panapasa (cousin) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Akapusi Qera (born 24 April 1984) is a Fijian professional rugby union player. A Flanker or No.8. He is married to wife Phillipha Talei and together they have four children. Qera is also from a Christian sporting family; his father was an international cricketer for Fiji and his brother also played international rugby for Fiji.[2] He is also a first cousin of Fiji test international Viliame Veikoso. Qera is a current test international and 15's captain for Fiji[3] Qera has also represented the Barbarians.
Whilst playing for Pertemps Bees during the 2006–2007 season he was voted Fiji rugby player of the year.[4] Later in the season he was nominated for Fiji sportsman of the year, finishing second to golfer Vijay Singh.[5]
A key player for Fiji during their 2007 Rugby World Cup campaign in France, he scored three tries and was later voted third in the Guinness Premiership player of the season awards for 2007–08.[6]
Since his debut season at Gloucester, Qera has gone on to captain the Fijian national side and also be awarded the Gloucester Player of the Year award in 2010.