Miliakere Koyamainavure quips: “I’ve been in colder”. 

Launceston has nothing on the Missouri or Iowa chill, her US collegiate homes of the past four basketball years.

“Now I’ve been home for a while so I’ve got used to (Fiji) again,” she said.

But heading straight off the plane from sunny Suva days out from her Tornadoes maiden appearance could be a challenge of a different kind.

She had researched the prospects of filling a roster spot soon after coach Richard Dickel contacted the ex-Fijian under-20 national captain after admitting to knowing little of Launceston, the Tornadoes and SEABL.

The 24-year-old’s time last spent in Australia was ironically a training camp at Albury, the home city of her first Torns game on Saturday.

“I am now just excited to come in and do what the coach needs me to do – whether its defensive, rebounding or even offensively,” Koyamainavure said.

The guard-come-small forward said her strength is often under the boards that maligns her 175cm frame.

“I play a real physical game – I learn that when I was in Fiji watching all the players when they used to throw up against each other,” she said.

Accompanied by a tough initiation into NCCA Division II college ball, Koyamainavure adds her mental toughness has rounded out her game.

But with a beaming smile, the newest import could prove to be a fan favourite to the simpler cries of Mili.

“Just call me Mili,” she insists, “I know my name’s too long.”