Fiji 7's star makes sensational switch to 15-a-side and there'll be plenty of suitors
Fijian 7s star Seremaia Tuwai is set to become the latest Olympic gold medal winner to quit the Sevens circuit and move into the 15-a side game.
The news comes following Tuwai’s 100th try helping Fiji win the Cape Town leg of the HSBC World Sevens Series to provide a fitting finale after four years in national colours following his stunning debut at the Gold Coast sevens in 2014.
Two years after helping Fiji to Olympic glory, the Fiji Sun says he is waiting for Fiji Rugby Union clearance to allow him to head to the USA where the new professional rugby competition is about to start its second year. Already making a living in the longer form of the sport are fellow Fijian sevens stars Semi Kunatani (UK), Savenaca Rawaca (France), Osea Kolinisau (USA), Viliame Mata (Scotland), Jasa Veremalua (USA), Josua Tuisova and Leone Nakarawa (France).
Besides becoming an Olympic gold medal winner the 29-year-old led his country to five sevens series titles during the 2017/18 season, including four in a row, plus a silver medal at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games and fourth place at the World Cup in San Francisco.
The loss of Tuwai, known as Jerry, is the latest blow to hit the Fiji sevens squad but while it removes vital experience, the squad continues to produce exciting new talent. Tuwai’s decision comes shortly after Super Rugby chiefs knocked back the latest attempt to have a Pacific Islands team included in that competition to help stop the drain of players from the region. As a result, Tuwai will be just the latest Fijian player to opt for a professional contract that takes him away from Fiji where his first home was in a one-room shack with corrugated-iron walls.
Growing up, Tuwai used to play rugby with plastic bottles and bundled-up T-shirts on the streets of Newtown on the outskirts of Suva and his move to 15s will help his family’s financial future. Tuwai’s mother Seruwaia Vualiku told CNN previously: “I knew I wouldn’t worry about food, about clothes. And Jerry did that for us; for me, my husband and my children. It’s not me, it’s not my husband. It’s God. Because I know I didn’t dream that one day Jerry will be a superstar, a rugby player like this. It was all in God’s plan.
Tuwai was nominated as the Sevens Player of the Year in 2018 but lost out to American Perry Baker who retained his title and has helped the Eagles go into 2019 as the top ranked Sevens team. The current Sevens series will see the top four teams automatically qualify for the Olympic Games tournament in Japan in 2020.
Comments on RugbyPass
The value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
3 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
10 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
37 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
10 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
37 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
3 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
37 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
49 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
37 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
37 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
37 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
37 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to comments