Boom youngster Semi Valemei has signed a three-year contract extension at the Raiders, but the news hasn't quite yet filtered through to his family back in Fiji.
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"I've tried a couple of days to call Fiji but I didn't get through," the softly spoken Valemei said.
"I'll try again this week just to let them know I'm re-signing with the club."
It's all Valemei can do while watching from afar as Fiji is ravaged by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has worsened on the island nation over the past month.
The hard-running winger is still yet to meet his daughter Rosi, who lives with Valemei's family in the remote village of Navidamu - so far still protected from the Covid outbreak in the country.
"It's getting really bad, in my island they're pretty safe but in the main island there's more cases now," Valemei said.
"Hopefully we get the vaccine soon."
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Despite a recent lack of direct communication, the rookie of the year's influence is still being felt back home after he recently bought his family a television and a pay TV subscription which means they no longer need to head up into the mountains to watch him play.
They will have liked what they've seen in recent times, with Valemei, now a Raider until 2024, playing in four of the club's last five games. He'll also line up on the wing against the Gold Coast Titans on Saturday, alongside returning co-captain Jarrod Croker.
The veteran's inclusion comes just in time for the Titans match at Canberra Stadium, which Canberra must win to stay in touch with the top eight.
"Considering how bad a start we've had this year, we're very fortunate that we're only two points outside of the eight," Raiders winger Jordan Rapana said.
"There's definitely belief here among the club that we can still fight for the finals. We're still contenders and we're still a strong team. We need to start winning and it starts this week."