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Recent England A pick Rusi Tuima signs Exeter contract extension
Recent England A team pick Rusi Tuima has agreed to a deal that will keep him at Exeter until the summer of 2026. The 23-year-old lock, who until this season played at back row, is part of the new guard making rapid progress at the Chiefs.
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He has started in nine of his 11 Gallagher Premiership appearances this term, helping the team into fourth place with five rounds of matches left before the play-offs.
A statement read: “Exeter Chiefs second row Rusi Tuima has committed his future to the club, signing a contract extension to 2026. The flamboyant forward transitioned from back row to second row at the outset of the 2023/24 season and has hit his stride in his new position.
“Previously, he spent time on loan to Plymouth Albion and friendly appearances with Exeter Braves gave the Fijian-born forward an opening insight into senior rugby.
“It was Chiefs forwards coach Rob Hunter who suggested he transition from the back row to a second row berth and, having soaked up knowledge from teammates and coaches alike, Tuima hasn’t looked back.
“Tuima joins second row partner Lewis Pearson as well as backs Harvey Skinner and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso in being the first names to be announced as remaining at Sandy Park for next season.”
Tuima said: “This season has made me want to stay all the more, because of the boys here. It’s an exciting group we have got and the things we have accomplished have been amazing, and I’ve loved every second of learning and growing alongside these boys.
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“I have grown up in the Chiefs system, so I have been here since I was 13. To do it all with some of my best mates, and boys I have grown up with like Lewis Pearson and Richard Capstick, has meant it’s been a hell of a ride so far, so I’m looking forward to getting stuck in for the seasons to come.
“From Rob Hunter having the conversation with me about moving into the second row in pre-season, I think he’s made me realise my strengths in the game and what I can do to get better. I’ve started that journey here and I want to continue it here to be the best player I can be here at Chiefs.”
Director of rugby Rob Baxter added: “This is great news for us. Rusi is a player who is really starting to break through this year. We have known for a long time that he’s had bags and bags of potential, but he has really taken off this season with us promoting him into the starting line-up in the second row.
“We have got to credit Rob Hunter and Ross McMillan for all the work they have done with Rusi around playing in his new position as he has very much become one of our front-line players now.
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“Rusi is showing an awful lot of qualities of a modern, big, ball-carrying second row forward and he is having lots of impact in a very important way for us in a team that is playing very well.
“He has been rewarded with a recent call-up into the England A team which I think was much deserved. As things stand now, I see him as a young man with a really bright future, so I’m really pleased that he has committed to the club for the long term.
“Hopefully he can be one of those players that helps us move forward and potentially win trophies in the future.”
Comments on RugbyPass
“Cortez Ratima is light years ahead of anyone on current form, while TJ Perenara has also skyrocketed into contention following the unfortunate injury to the talented Cam Roigard.” At last some sanity. Hitherto so many pundits have been wittering on about Finlay Christie to the point one wondered if they were observing a FC in a parallel universe where the FC they saw wasnt just the mediocre Shayne Philpott project of Fosters hapless AB reign in the real world. Ratima, Perenara and Fakatava are the ONLY logical 9s for Razor now Roigard is crocked.
2 Go to commentsThis game was just as painful as the Hurricanes game. It was real fork-in-the-eye stuff.
2 Go to commentsNow if they could just fire the Crusaders ground PA guy who likes to play his dance music and just loves the sound of his own voice the entire game, even when play is going on. And I thought their brass band thing of a few years ago was bad.
5 Go to commentsUnfortunately when you lose by far the two form players this season in Roigard and Aumua, you're left replacing two game changing Tanks with a couple of pea-shooters. Which is also about the speed of TJs pass.
2 Go to commentsBit rich coming from the guy with zero loyalty to anyone or any team, including happily taking a players place in a league world cup squad because well, SBW wanted to play in it and thus an already named player got told he was no longer going. And airing stuff like this, which may or may not be true, doesn't exactly say you're a stand up guy either SBW. Just looking to keep his name in lights as usual.
37 Go to commentsTamati Tua. …the Taniwha NPC midfielder. Ollie Sapsford, Hawkes Bay NPC midfielder…doing well
2 Go to commentsFiji deserve to be in the rugby championship, fans love seeing the Fijian national team play, the Fijian Drua is a wonderful idea but the players can still be stolen to play for NZ and AUS…
1 Go to commentsThe first concern for this afternoon are wheather forecast…
1 Go to commentsWhy cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
5 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
33 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
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