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'Earn my stripes': Lote Tuqiri's cousin ready to forge his own legacy
Fijian Drua prop Emosi Tuqiri will follow in the footsteps of giants this weekend when he makes his Super Rugby debut against Moana Pasifika in Auckland.
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Named to start at loosehead prop for Saturday’s crunch clash at Mt Smart Stadium, the 22-year-old is preparing to add to the legacy forged by his world-class relatives.
Tuqiri is related to former Wallabies stars Tevita and Kirisi Kuridrandi, Waratahs winger Nemani Nadolo, and dual-international Lote Tuqiri.
While there’s plenty of excitement and anticipation ahead of his debut, there’s also no shying away from the pressure of doing the “family name proud.”
But Tuqiri isn’t feeling the heat. He’s ready.
In the week leading up to his Super Rugby debut, Tuqiri told RugbyPass that he’s eager to “make a name for myself.”
“It’s almost a blessing in disguise where it’s pressure but you can learn from what they’ve done and their mistakes,” Tuqiri said.
“It doesn’t mean that I’m not going to make mistakes myself but I’m probably just aware not to have made as many.
The two newest Super Rugby franchises meet in the opening round on Saturday afternoon. #MOAvFIJ pic.twitter.com/aorPAqc0Bw
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) February 23, 2023
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“They’ve been a massive part of the journey in dealing with that pressure.
“For me, it’s not so much the pressure, rugby has always been something that has been in the family and I’ve loved so I focus more on the fun and just enjoying it.
“I’ve even spoken to Lote too. He’s obviously been my idol growing up as a kid.
“He’s taught me a lot and he’s done our family name proud and full respect to everything he’s done. He’s done almost everything you can do in both codes.
“He said it’s my turn now to continue that legacy but not even just the last name (but) to make a name for myself… earn my stripes.”
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Heralded as a schoolboy sensation at Brisbane’s Marist College, with his highlight reel surpassing 93,000 views on YouTube, Tuqiri was always destined for greatness.
Tuqiri really could do it all, and was the chosen goal kicker for his club team growing up – a goal kicking prop.
Clearly, the rising star had potential – it was just up to him to make the most of it.
But as the adage goes, hard work beats talent when talent fails to work hard, and Tuqiri almost learnt that the hard way.
Coming out of school, the Marist First XV captain was “quite overweight.” Tuqiri lost 20-kilos while rugby league, and was called up to the URC to play for the Australian Barbarians shortly after.
From there, his hard work began to pay off as a domino of opportunities began to fall his way.
Eventually, Tuqiri received was given the chance to head south to Victoria where he plied his trade with the Melbourne Rebels.
However, disaster struck in each of his two preseasons with the Rebels, as he was sidelined for 15 weeks ahead of both campaigns with serious injuries.
But as Tuqiri said, “it was all meant to happen.”
“I believe in everything happens for a reason and my timing is not so much, it’s God’s timing,” he added.
“Thinking back now it’s like f*** what a journey it’s been, it’s been two years with back-to-back injuries, going to be making my debut this weekend for my home country.
Bula vinaka 🇫🇯.
Here is your Swire Shipping Fijian Drua team for our season opener vs Moana Pasifika
Congratulations to our debutants Emosi Tuqiri and Iosefo Masi and potential debutants Elia Canakaivata and Taniela Rakuro
Vinaka for your support and prayers, Viti. 💙 pic.twitter.com/gfkVUEX6ms
— Fijian Drua (@Fijian_Drua) February 24, 2023
“It’s almost full circle and pretty grateful.”
Fijian Drua have travelled to Auckland for their Super Rugby season opener against Moana Pasifikia in Auckland.
That match is set to get underway at 4:35pm NZT at Mt Smart Stadium.
Comments on RugbyPass
“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
22 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
3 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
2 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
3 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
3 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
14 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
3 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
2 Go to commentsHe seems to have the same aura as Marcus Smith - by which I mean he’s consistently judged as if he’s several years younger than he actually is. Mngomezulu has played 24 times for the Stormers. When Pollard was his age he had played 24 times for South Africa! He has more time to develop, but he has also had time to do some developing already, and he hasn’t demonstrated nearly as much talent in that time as one would expect. If he is a generational talent, then it must be a pretty poor generation.
4 Go to commentsThe greatest Springbok coach of all time is entirely on the money. Rassie and Jacques have given the south african public a great few years, but the success of the springbok selection policy will need to be judged in light of what comes next. The poor condition that the provincial system is currently in doesn’t bode well for the next few years of international rugby, and the insane 2026 schedule that the Boks have lined up could also really harm both provincial and international consistency.
22 Go to commentsJake White is a brilliant coach and a master in the press. This is another masterclass in media relations and PR but its also a very narrow view with arguments that dont always hold water. White wants his team to win, he wants the best players in SA and wants his team competitive. You however have to face up to the reality of a poor exchange rate and big clubs with big budgets. SA Rugby cant compete and unless it can find more money SA players will keep leaving regardless of Springbok eligibility and this happened in 2015 - 2017. Also rugby is not cricket. Cricket has 3 formats and T20 cricket is where the money is at. When it comes to club vs country the IPL is king but that wont happen because the international calendar does not clash with the club calendar in rugby. So the argument about rugby going down the same path as cricket is really a non-starter
22 Go to commentsNZ rugby seem not to have learnt anything from professional rugby. Super rugby was dying and SA left before they died with the competition. SA rugby did a u turn on their approach to international players playing overseas and such players are now selected for Bok teams. As much as each country would love to retain their players playing in local competitions, this is the way the world is evolving my friends. Move with it or stay 20 years behind the times. One more thing. NZ rugby hierarchy think they are the big cheese. Take a more humble approach guys. You do not seem to have your players best interests at heart.
3 Go to commentsBeaches? In Cardiff? Where?
1 Go to commentsHe is right , the Crusaders will be a threat. Scott Barrett, ( particularly), Fergus Burke , Codie Taylor, ( from sabbatical) etc due back soon for the Crusaders. There are others like Zach Gallagher too. People can right the Crusaders off, Top 8 , here we come !!
1 Go to commentsWe will always struggle for money to match the other sides but the least the WRU can do is invest properly in Welsh rugby. Too much has been squandered on vanity projects like the hotel and roof walk amongst others which will never see a massive return. Hanging the 4 pro sides out to dry over the last decade is now coming back to bite the WRU financially as well as on the pitch. You reap what you sow.
1 Go to commentsWhat do you get if you cross a doctor with a fish? A plastic sturgeon
14 Go to commentsWhat happened to feleti Kaitu’u? Hasnt played in a while right?
1 Go to commentsGregor I just can’t agree with you. You are trying to find something that just isn’t there. Jordie Barrett has signed until 2028. By the end of that he would have spent probably 11-12 years on Super Rugby and you say he can’t possibly have one season playing somewhere else. It is absurd. What about this scenario, the NZR play hard ball and he decides to leave and play overseas. How would that affect the competition. There seems to be an agenda by certain journalists to push certain agendas and don’t like it when it’s not to their liking. I fully support the NZR on this. Gregor needs to get a life.
3 Go to commentsHope he stays as believe he can do a great job.
1 Go to comments