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Fiji veteran could miss triple Olympic gold bid after being axed

27 Nov 2023

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA - SEPTEMBER 10: Jerry Tuwai of Fiji celebrate after scoring a try during day 2 of the Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022 Championship Quarter Finals match 27 between Samoa and Fiji at DHL Stadium on September 10, 2022 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images/Getty Images)

Double Olympic Games gold medallist Jerry Tuwai has been left out of the Fiji sevens squad for the opening rounds of the 2023-2024 HSBC SVNS Series in Dubai and Cape Town.

Head coach Ben Gollings did not include 34-year-old Tuwai who, according to local media reports, has been concentrating on coaching and interests outside of rugby.

Fiji will attempt a remarkable third successive gold medal when they appear in the Paris Olympic competition but it seems Tuwai will not be a key figure in that campaign.

Fiji Rugby Union interim Trustees chairman, Peter Mazey has said that Tuwai was helping out with the Fijiana women’s 7s team for the Oceania Rugby Sevens and the veteran halfback has also been actively involved with his boxing promotions. He was recently announced the ambassador of one the country’s leading hardware companies.

Gollings has opted for the experience of Terio Tamani, Joseva Talacolo and Sevuloni Mocenacagi while Ilikimi Vunaki, Netava Koroisau and Rubeni Kabu have forced their way into the national 7s squad.

There is also a place for Kaminieli Rasaku who won a gold medal at the 2022 Rugby World Cup Sevens in Cape Town and joins the team after ending his contract with his French club Bayonne earlier this year.

Fiji is pooled with Great Britain, France and USA at the Dubai 7s which starts on Saturday.

Fijiana 7s coach Saiasi Fuli has named a strong team for the opening leg of the 2023-2024 SVNS Series. Fuli has picked up the experience of Ana Naimasi, Aloesi Nakoci, Raijeli Daveua, Vani Buleki, Younis Bese, Maria Rokotuisiga and Reapi Uluinasau. Joining them will be Talei Wilson, Laisani Moceisawana, Lavenia Cavuru, Viniana Riwai, Ilisapeci Delaiwau and Mereani Rogosau.

The Fijiana side is grouped in Pool A with New Zealand, Great Britain and South Africa.

Fiji men’s squad:

Josese Batirerega, Ilikimi Vunaki, Kaminieli Rasaku, Jeremaia Matana, Filipe Sauturaga, Netava Koroisau, Rubeni Kabu, Sevuloni Mocenacagi, Vuiviwa Naduvalo, Joseva Talacolo, Manueli Maisamoa, Pilipo Bukayaro, Terio Veilawa

Fijiana squad:

Reijeli Daveua, Vani Buleki, Aloesi Nakoci, Laisani Moceisawana, Talei Wilson, Reapi Ulunisau, Lavena Cavuru, Viniana Riwai, Ana Maria Naimasi, Maria Rokotuisiga, Younis Bese, Ilisapeci Delaiwau, Mereani Rogosau.

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Comments

1 Comment

Anand 534 days ago

Axed ? No Jerry didn't attend or get chosen in the first place so he wasn't axed

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Cantab 2 days ago

Teenager Braxton Sorensen-McGee reflects on dream Black Ferns debut

Although NZ won comfortably enough they weren’t always convincing and a better opposition may well have found them out. If our gun 7s players can translate their skills to the 15s game the team would have the ability to beat anyone. Need to be given the chance though.

4 Go to comments

James 2 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

And how do you see the Wallabies loosehead / Lion’s tighthead battle Nick?

37 Go to comments

dw 2 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Also interested in your thoughts on A Bell. Haven't noticed many scrum issues recently. He also seems to play 60 or so mins every game. A bit of a fan (even though he’s a tah..) but wondered if the Lions would target his scrummaging

37 Go to comments

dw 2 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

True. And you look at how the European coaches have got so much out of skelton and how much the local fans love him…and then some Oz fans will still say “he played poorly for the tahs I'm 2015!”

37 Go to comments

dw 2 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Thanks Nick but your headline has just jinxed us and reminded me of that night in 2013!

I love any analysis of the scrums such as the above. Cheers.

Allalatoa seems to be in good form and Nongorr appears to be able to hold his own? I think they will pick Tupou regardless of form. After Friday night I am concerned he could be sent off in the first five mins of the test though! He got too pumped up and hit a player high and was carded

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 2 days ago

'Most complacent selection decision you will ever see': Barrett benching slammed as Leinster knocked out

I watched the mainstream NZ pundits eg Mils Muliaina and they DID back NZ to win almost to a man.

Ireland will talk their team up as anyone would with the caveats we are playing the ABs and match was de facto 50:50, That is not the same as dismissing the opposition. EG After the quarter John Kirwan said he was sorry France didn’t win versus SA becuase a ‘France-NZ final would be perfect. (The semis had not even been played yet, England and Argentina completely dismissed! He didn’t even realize his own arrogance) NZ are not even aware of the arrogance they exude. Has no Kiwi politely asked the national team to take down the ‘Superstars and Humble Heroes’ boasting on the AB site? Its cringeworthy stuff. Do NZ really see themselves like this?

Note all this BS about Irish arrogance started just after NZs defeat in the 2022 series. Not a coincidence.

Also: this is Irish national TV. We will talk our team up as everyone does. We care too much about judgemental and thin skinned Kiwis getting offended.

91 Go to comments

JM 2 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Aussie rugby fans are obsessed with players they hate, for whatever reason.

Michael Hooper is another one, and the hatred only increased whenever he won John Eales medals or the two times he was nominated world player of the year.

I reckon it is because our forwards are technically and mentally weak they put it all on one player who they think should make way for the messiah.

Same for the general team performance and the hate put on players like White, Lolesio, and Foley who should be pulling rabbits out of the hat every play.

I reckon, if we had of had 5 players with Hooper’s desire and drive spread across the team (and especiallythe forwards), we wouldn’t have woken up in the bottom of the ditch.

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 3 days ago

'What he’s given to this club is nothing short of incredible'

He shouldn’t have been picked. Not physically able for the most intense matches notably in Twickenham last year. Giving him the captaincy was also a very short sighted decision then after RWC 2023. Ireland have a tendency to be a little too loyal, which can mean the team ages and the rebuild is bigger than should be.

Plenty of lads out there to fill that squad.

4 Go to comments

OJohn 3 days ago

Geoff Parling returns to Leicester as head coach

Hooray

0 Go to comments

Carlos 3 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

He was also a YC magnet.

37 Go to comments

Carlos 3 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Windsor-Faulkner-Price. 😊

37 Go to comments

Solenn Bonnet 3 days ago

Leinster cleanse palette with record URC scoreline against Zebre

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0 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 3 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Ah, the Pooler front row ! Most legendary in the history of the , I would think. Max Boyce helped…”Here we. here we, here we go, with the Pontypool front row.”

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 3 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Would not go as far as whole house in our family, but for me, yes, W1. Loved playing in the scrum, love watching now😀

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 3 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Yes, I see that article here on RP, Nick. That is good news that Schmidt is going to look at the o’seas players.

Yes, I would think you are right that LAR will qualify. On the same points as MP, but surely they are too good not to win this crunch game….could be tEnse for ROG in the stands though.

37 Go to comments

BC 3 days ago

Who would make it into a Women's British and Irish Lions starting XV?

I would pick Oifa Wafer at 6, put Aldcroft in the second row with Ward. I think Wafer is one of the few non-England players mentioned that would contend for a Red Rose shirt, the others being King and possibly Neve Jones. Conversely there are two English players mentioned, Sing and Venner, that probably won’t even make the Red Rose WC squad, let alone a Lions Tour. Still a lot can change in two years, watch out for Millie David.

1 Go to comments

Otagoman II 3 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Great article NB, thanks. I would like to know what is the reasoning why so many things are penalties in the scrum. Is it to do with safety or something else?

37 Go to comments

NB 3 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

👍

37 Go to comments

NB 3 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Always the same at the other place. Some of those perceptions of him at the Tahs - lazy, overweight and slow - were impossible to shift!

37 Go to comments

NB 3 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Hang on to Miz Carlos!

37 Go to comments

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Fiji veteran could miss triple Olympic gold bid after being axed

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Fiji men’s squad:

Fijiana squad:

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