One of the pioneers of rugby league in the country has spoken out for the first time regarding the late Peni Musunamasi, who died on Friday.

2008 Vodafone Fiji Bati coach Joe Rabele couldn’t control his emotions today while speaking to FBC Sports.

Trying hard to fight back the tears today, Joe Rabele says Musunamasi sacrificed a lot for the sport – mortgaging his house for the sake of rugby league.

He adds Musunamasi’s house was also used as an FNRL office in 2000 when the sport was going through a tough time.

“From 2000 rugby league was in a devastating state it was not supposed to exist in Fiji anymore but two gentlemen Mr. Ilaisa Tagitupou and Peni Musunamasi thought that the sport suited Fijians and they kept the game alive by giving their money, mortgage their houses just to keep this game alive.”

Rabele says he is quite sad because he was the last one from FNRL to have had any contact with Musunamasi before he passed.