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Axed Fiji star Jerry Tuwai launches scathing attack on Ben Gollings
Double Olympics gold medalist Jerry Tuwai has reacted to being told he must prove he is good enough to be part of the current Fiji Sevens squad by launching a scathing attack on Ben Gollings, the head coach saying the job is more than the former England star “can handle.”
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Tuwai took to social media to vent his feelings after Gollings set out the criteria for the playmaker’s return and this will increase the pressure on the head coach. Tuwai wrote on Facebook; “He (Gollings) is a good man and great human being but the task that is given to him is more than he can handle.
“The excuse they said for me to prove myself in the local tournaments. Nearly a decade of international tournaments and awards and trophies and championships is not enough?
“I have played under great leaders and I had the honour in leading our warriors into battle. I don’t like doing a lot of talking but I have to defend my honour. I am still happy, I am still cheering. I still have Fiji in my heart. Go Fiji Go. The thing I am trying to say is that I am out of the programme because something I did that will benefit the team.”
Gollings, who took over from Gareth Baber, has said that Tuwai needs to fight his way back into the Fiji Airways men’s 7s team if he wants to represent the country at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Tuwai last competed at the London 7s in May last year and was left out of the Fiji sevens squad for the opening rounds of the 2023-2024 HSBC SVNS Series in Dubai and Cape Town last month.
Fiji Rugby Union interim Trustees chairman Peter Mazey had said that Tuwai was helping out with the Fijiana women’s 7s team and the veteran halfback had also been actively involved with his boxing promotions.
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“Tuwai is a world-class player but as of right now, he isn’t part of the team in any way,” Gollings said. “However, he is a world-class player and the selection is always open for him. All he must do is prove that he still has what it takes to compete at international level again.
“If he competes at any local tournament this year, we will surely be out watching to see if he still can compete.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Sorry to say, but sadly the sadas were just ordinary and havilli at 10 as an abs selection just won’t cut it. He’s better suited in the centre’s and is a victim of past charge down kicks, he’s too slow under pressure. There’s better talent further north and I don’t mean dmac however I believe razor will sort him out. A feature of his presents on the park is the fact that the guys will follow him.
7 Go to commentsMarler was brilliant throughout both in the scrum and open play. His slap made virtually no contact with Ramos who milked it for a penalty when he could have been a decent sportsman and laughed it off, it was non-violent and shouldn't have been penalised. Smith failed repeatedly to kick when necessary and put up a couple of bombs into the TLS 22 that just handed back possession at key moments to the other side.
3 Go to commentsCros was outstanding and rightly awarded France TVs player of the match award. Mallia was brilliant as usual (the y is below the 6 on a UK keyboard and he deserves better than that). Level also seems to have been scored harshly as he walked the ball into touch under pressure from a Lynagh kick from well outside his own half which should never have led to a 50-22. Agree with BullShark that Dupont, while class at times, seemed to go missing for patches in the second half with props, hookers and wings frequently filling in at 9 as he couldn't get off the deck and up to the next ruck on time. A 7 by his standards at best, his kicking was also too long, too often. Kinghorn's overall contribution was worth well more than a five.
3 Go to commentsThe Harlequins team must be in minus figures. Did the reporter actually watch the game?
3 Go to commentsHow on earth did Walker escape a red card? Not dangerous? Dupont has his face in a mask earlier this season. Shocking decision. What is the point of TMOs? We had the Fassi ‘non-penalty try’ yesterday and now this.
2 Go to commentsCould have been a different result but yet again French tv able to affect the result by not showing the very clear high shot on harlequin centre if this would have been on a French player would have been on screen at least five times
3 Go to commentsAmazing. The losing team’s ratings are higher than the winning team’s. Mallia definitely didn’t deserve a y. What game were you watching? Should have got a w or an x. ADP hardly featured in that second half. At one point I wondered when he’d been subbed. Seems to me as if he gets an automatic 9 just for getting onto the team sheet.
3 Go to commentsI’m sorry. That second half was far from enthralling. It was painful to watch.
2 Go to commentsVery generous! If you’d missed the game, reading this you’d conclude that it was the Quins front row that cost them the game. Marler getting a blanket 6 for his demented contribution to the game. Puzzling.
3 Go to commentsCan’t see Toulouse beating Leinster at this rate.
7 Go to commentsADP was having a very average game until winning that penalty for Toulouse, sticking his big head in the way. “The head of God”?
7 Go to commentsHarlequins doing their best to do as little damage as possible with all the possession. Looks like they skipped catch and pass drills this week.
7 Go to commentsSeeing pictures of Jacques high-fiving it with Irish players breaks my heart. Too soon. I need more time.
1 Go to commentsquins is all over the place. The minute they get the ball they panic. Quins can still win tho just need to win all rucks otherwise just don't bother.
7 Go to commentsGreat wins for the male & female kiwi sides. Ireland not far away..
1 Go to commentsWhy is this dude getting so much coverage? Usually knobs like this get cancelled.
2 Go to commentsWow. What was that? A 3 million word meandering article about what exactly?
2 Go to commentsNice piece of writing. And yes the Sharks pulled a rabbit from the hat and were a little lucky with that penalty try that wasn’t given… however the Sharks (with their resources) should be way more consistent and should be putting teams like Claremont away for breakfast. I expect more from them and hope they kick on now.
8 Go to commentsJust what the Sharks needed to get things going in the right direction Defence on the outside really creates havoc for the whole team and needs to be addressed.
8 Go to commentsWell done guys both teams will be ready to play knockout rugby.
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