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Axed Fiji star Jerry Tuwai launches scathing attack on Ben Gollings

Fiji's Jerry Tuwai looks up after scoring a try during the cup final of the World Rugby Sevens Series match between the US and Fiji at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton on January 27, 2019. (Photo by MICHAEL BRADLEY / AFP) (Photo credit should read MICHAEL BRADLEY/AFP via Getty Images)

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?

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Joe Simmonds on potential England selection

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Joe Simmonds on potential England selection

“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.”

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1 Comment
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Coach 351 days ago

Have you not heard the saying that you are only as good as your last game in sport. Well done on your career thus far so being presumptios that your past should secure your future does not suit you. A winemaker maybe, but not a sportsman!

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SK 56 minutes ago
What is the future of rugby in 2025?

Set pieces are important and the way teams use them is a great indication of how they play the game. No team is showcasing their revolution more than the Springboks. This year they have mauled less and primarily in the attacking third. Otherwise they have tended to set like they are going to maul and then play around the corner or shove the ball out the back. They arent also hitting the crash ball carrier constantly but instead they are choosing to use their width or a big carrying forward in wider areas. While their maul is varied the scrum is still a blunt instrument winning penalties before the backs have a go. Some teams have chosen to blunt their set piece game for more control. The All Blacks are kicking more penalties and are using their powerful scrum as an attacking tool choosing that set piece as an attacking weapon. Their willingness to maul more and in different positions is also becoming more prominent. The French continue to play conservative rugby off the set piece using their big bruisers frequently. The set piece is used differently by different teams. Different teams play different ways and can be successful regardless. They can win games with little territory and possession or smash teams with plenty of both. The game of rugby is for all types and sizes and thats true in the modern era. I hope that administrators keep it that way and dont go further towards a Rugby League style situation. Some administrators are of the opinion that rugby is too slow and needs to be sped up. Why not rather empower teams to choose how they want to play and create a framework that favours neither size nor agility. That favours neither slow tempo play or rock n roll rugby. Create a game that favour both and challenge teams to execute their plans. If World Rugby can create a game like that then it will be the ultimate winner.

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JW 6 hours ago
'Let's not sugarcoat it': Former All Black's urgent call to protect eligibility rules

Yep, no one knows what will happen. Thing is I think (this is me arguing a point here not a random debate with this one) they're better off trialing it now in a controlled environment than waiting to open it up in a knee jerk style reaction to a crumbling organtization and team. They can always stop it again.


The principle idea is that why would players leave just because the door is ajar?


BBBR decides to go but is not good enough to retain the jersey after doing it. NZ no longer need to do what I suggest by paying him to get back upto speed. That is solely a concept of a body that needs to do what I call pick and stick wth players. NZR can't hold onto everyone so they have to choose their BBBRs and if that player comes back from a sabbatical under par it's a priority to get him upto speed as fast as possible because half of his competition has been let go overseas because they can't hold onto them all. Changing eligibility removes that dilemma, if a BBBR isn't playing well you can be assured that someone else is (well the idea is that you can be more assured than if you only selected from domestic players).


So if someone decides they want to go overseas, they better do it with an org than is going to help improve them, otherwise theyre still basically as ineligible as if they would have been scorning a NZ Super side that would have given them the best chance to be an All Black.

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