THE tattoo across the top of Aaron Groom’s back reads: “Noqu kalou noqu vanua.” It translates to: “My God my country.”

For the Fijians at the World Cup, God and country have inspired the side to the semi-finals and a date with the all-conquering Kangaroos.

Groom had the tattoo done about three years ago after touring the Pacific Island nation with an Australian-based team of players of Fijian heritage.

He noticed the saying and it struck a chord.

“I have a bit of ink,” Groom said. “I was just into it.”

Although he has spent much of his life in Australia, Groom was born in Fiji and heads back regularly to see family and friends. His roots are in Levuka, an island which was once the country’s capital and was renowned as the first permanent European settlement in the Pacific Islands.

Groom, who tends to spend his time in Nadi and Suva, hasn’t returned to Levuka, although he went close before the World Cup kicked off.

“This year was the closest I have been,” Groom said.

“I have a fair bit of family in Nadi and Suva. When we go back that’s normally where we go. The camp this year, we went to an island close to it and I could see it from where we were.”

Was he tempted to sneak over for a look? “It’s a bit of a dangerous swim — I’m not the strongest,” he said.

So Groom had to be satisfied with watching from afar and throwing all his efforts into ensuring Fiji was on song for the World Cup.

It was energy well-spent. Fiji has been the success story of the tournament, beating Ireland last Monday to move into Sunday night’s semi-final against Australia at the Sydney Football Stadium.

For Groom, it represents an opportunity to prove his worth.

After a trying season at the Bulldogs, in which he managed just six first-grade games, he has been Fiji’s shining light in this tournament, winning two man of the match awards.

“The way our playing group has come together the way we have bonded has made it easy for me and made me enjoy my footy again,” Groom said.

The Fijians are the longest of long shots. If you listen to the bookies, they are wasting their time even showing up. Groom insists they are not intimidated by their opponents and they stand a punter’s chance.

“This is the biggest game we will ever play in,” Groom said.

“The boys don’t seem daunted by the whole thing, they don’t seem overawed. I think they’re excited to play against the guys they see on TV.”