AKAPUSI Qera has admitted putting his Fiji career on hold was his hardest decision in rugby – but vital to help him continue to flourish at Gloucester.
The 28-year-old bulldozing flanker rejected the chance to represent Fiji in the autumn internationals to establish himself in the Kingsholm pecking order under new boss Nigel Davies.
Former Birmingham and Solihull loose forward Qera is intent on cementing his long-term future with the Cherry and Whites at the very start of rugby director Davies' era at the helm.
And he considered that so important he turned down the chance to add to his 22 caps in Fiji's imminent Northern Hemisphere tour.
Qera's current Gloucester contract runs until the end of the 2013/14 season, but the wrecking-ball defender believes it is vital to set a personal tone with the club's new coaching set-up.
Keen to return to the international fold in future, Qera could even line up against Fiji for Gloucester at Kingsholm on Tuesday, November 13 (kick-off 7.45pm).
Admitting it would be an honour to wear cherry and white against his home nation, he explained: "It was one of the hardest decisions I've had to make, but it was one that I had to do.
"It doesn't mean that I am retiring from international rugby or anything like that, it's just for my future at Gloucester really.
"With the new management and new coaching set-up, I just wanted to get a really good feel for the club before I could make a decision to move out and play international rugby.
"Right now I just want to get a feel for how Nigel does his job and how other coaches do theirs too.
"And from there I can set my goals and go on from there.
"There's huge competition for places, lots of players are vying for the spots and no-one is guaranteed a place at all.
"I've had a good record with Fiji and I hope it can go on for a few more years yet.
"I would love to play against Fiji, but it's completely up to the coaches as to who they will pick for that game.
"It's already a big thing back home now but I just have to carry on doing my own job, focusing on my own work and just get my head down.
"I've never played against Fiji before and it would be fantastic to do that against them at Kingsholm in front of the Gloucester fans.
"It's always a great atmosphere at Kingsholm, and to represent Gloucester in front of the Cherry and Whites fans against my country – that would be a very special moment in my career.
"But as I said, I just have to keep working hard for that, and we'll see what happens."
Gloucester take on Premiership champions Harlequins at The Stoop tonight (kick-off 5.15pm), keen to pick up where they left off in last weekend's impressive 27-21 Leicester Tigers victory.
Qera said the Cherry and Whites are aiming to build a pack that is feared across the land – and to do that will mean performing well in unforgiving arenas like The Stoop.
He continued: "Nigel's come in with a positive attitude, mentally and physically, and he's just done great things for the team and the club.
"It felt like we had something to get off our chests against a top side last week: it was a great atmosphere to be in and a great game to win.
"As a pack we've challenged ourselves with our new model to be recognised and feared by all the Premiership teams.
"We did well to be at that point against Leicester and we'll have to work hard to get there again at Quins.
"It's just trying to match up and compete with good players from other sides, and that's the same again this time around.
"These kinds of games are all about big tests against big players, and that's very exciting.
"We'd love to topple the champions but Harlequins are a very tough team to crack at their home ground.
"It's a very big test for us, and we have to step up another notch from the Leicester match – but I'm confident we can do that."
