Initially a ring-in for the Fijian police in a rugby union game against the Fijian army, Waqa was given a job as a special constable with the equivalent of a SWAT team, despite not attending the academy or receiving any formal training.

"It was pretty hard for me to put the uniform on and walk on my street because all the boys in my area, everyone hates the cops," Waqa said.

"At the same time, I had a kid, so I had to do it for the missus and the little one, try to earn money and look after the family."

In the eight months he worked in the police force, Waqa attended big raids such as drug busts, but would take a backseat when the arrests were made.

"Normally I'll just leave it to the boys who know the laws," Waqa said. "There were a few big busts where there were people I grew up with and good mates with my older brothers.

"That's just the way it is, had to do it to prevent them from committing more crimes."

Waqa has also moved to Canberra, from the Melbourne Storm, for his family, including his three children.

The Storm reluctantly granted Waqa a release from the final year of his contract so the 28-year-old could sign an upgraded three-year deal with the Raiders.

Waqa's story starts in Suva, the capital of Fiji.

One of five siblings, he recalls having a lot of immediate family - cousins, uncles, aunties - crammed into a three-bedroom house.

It was his rugby skills that stood him apart from the crowd, debuting with Fiji's national rugby union team as a teenager.

"Putting on that white jumper was a dream come true," Waqa said. "It was massive, a big thing for myself ... but you don't really get a good career unless you play the World Cup."

Instead, Waqa relocated to Australia on a rugby union contract with the Parramatta Two Blues in the Sydney club competition. After a few months, he was invited to join the Waratahs academy and the national talent squad as a prospect for the Australian Sevens team.

He returned to Fiji in an attempt to be selected for the 2007 Rugby World Cup, but was ruled out with injury.

A second stint in Sydney rugby, this time with Gordon, led to Waqa being offered a contract by the ACT Brumbies. But that fell through when he was ruled as an import because of his time with the Fijian national team.

Waqa was then pointed in the direction of the Sydney Roosters, who offered him a one-year contract after a two-day trial.

"The person who helped me there was Anthony Minichiello, he helped me out with my game and my positioning," Waqa said. "I went back to rugby union and signed in France, but that fell through too.

"I was playing for Southern Districts in Sydney at the end of (2008), and [Melbourne Storm coach Craig] Bellamy called me up to see if I was interested.

Four years, 67 games, 41 tries and one premiership later, Waqa has come to Canberra to be a senior contributor in a young Raiders backline.

"I thought I was going to be Melbourne for the rest of my career, but unfortunately it didn't work out. I'm happy here in Canberra and hopefully I'll be here for the next three, four, five years."