BLACK SOCIAL HISTORY : FIJIAN " NATHAN WILLIAM JEREMY HUGHES " IS A FIJIAN RUBY FOOTBALLER AND PLAYS AS A FLANKER OR NUMBER 8 OR AT LOCK : GOES INTO THE "" HALL OF BLACK GENIUS "

                          BLACK               SOCIAL            HISTORY                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Nathan William Jeremy Hughes (born 10 June 1991 in Lautoka, Fiji) is a Fijian rugby footballer. He plays as a flanker or number 8 or at lock.

Hughes, who was born and raised in Lautoka played hockey most of his childhood. He attended St. Thomas High School in Lautoka and he represented them nationally in field hockey. His uncle, Asaeli Hughes, is a former dual international having represented Fiji in both basketball and 15s rugby. His father is the former Fiji hockey rep, William Hughes.

Career

In 2009, Hughes was scouted by Kelston Boys' High School's Athens Henare, the head of department for P.E for Kelston, when they toured Fiji in 2008. He went to NZ on a partial scholarship. In his first year, Hughes scooped the team player of the year award. He also made the Auckland Under-18 team and he followed it up by making the Auckland Under-20 team while still playing for his 1st XV, Kelston Boys High School and because of his superb performance, he joined the Auckland High Performance Academy.^[1]

In January 2012, he returned to Fiji to take part in the invitational Uprising 7's missing the New Zealand 7's team trials for a chance to represent Fiji. He played for the Auckland Invitational side coached by former Fiji 15's coach, Wayne Pivac.^[1] He also helped his Auckland side win the NZ 7's Championships in 2012.^[1]

Nathan made his debut off the bench for Auckland against Otago in the 2011 ITM Cup.

In February 2013, he was selected by the then Fiji 15's coach, Inoke Male to join the Fiji Warriors team for the 2013 Pacific Rugby Cup.^[1] He was named the Vice-captain of the warriors team which was skippered by current Crusaders winger, Nemani Nadolo.^[1]

In March 2013, he signed for English premiership side, London Wasps.^[2]

Hughes has had strong performances in the 2013-14 premiership season and has considered his international allegiance as he is currently eligible for Fiji, Samoa and also England in 2 years.^[3]