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Jerry Tuwai makes dramatic Fiji return despite social spat

354 days ago

Rodrigo Isgro of Argentina embraces Jerry Tuwai of Fiji after the Cup Final between Argentina and Fiji the during Day Two of The HSBC London Sevens at Twickenham Stadium on May 21, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Davidson - RFU/The RFU Collection via Getty Images)

Two time Olympic gold medalist Jerry Tuwai has proved the doubters wrong and fought is way back into the the Fiji Airways Men’s 7s for the HSBC SVNS season finale in Madrid May 31-June 2.

Tuwai has not featured in the squad since the London 7s in May 2023 but now has a chance to win a place in the team that will try and make it a hat-trick of Olympic gold medal triumph in Paris this summer.

Tuwai has been named in new coach Osea Kolinisau’s side for Madrid with the 35-year-old having responded to the challenge to prove he could regain the fitness needed to be part of the squad attempting to lift the HSBC title in the final of the new format for the competition.

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Previous head coach Ben Gollings had left Tuwai out of his squads insisting the play-maker, who has been undertaking various coaching roles, did not have the fitness levels required to earn a recall.

This led to a social media row that eventually saw the Fiji rugby authorities bring the two together in an effort to find a compromise. Gollings was later sacked from his role after failing to deliver the results the Fiji Rugby Union demanded bringing Kolinisau in as head coach. As a former medal-winning team mate – he captained Fiji to gold in Rio – he is acutely aware of the special talents Tuwai possesses and now the veteran has the chance to prove he can still operate at the highest level of sevens in Madrid.

Youngster Sakiusa Siqila, who made it into the extended squad, will make his debut in the Madrid 7s while Tira Weilagi returns to make his first appearance this season. Also returning is Police forward Ilikimi Torosi.

Other players named include Sevuloni Mocenacagi, Jerry Matana, Viliame Naikausa, Suliano Volivolituevei, Terio Tamani, Waisea Nacuqu, Ponipate Loganimasi, Iowane Teba, and Vuiviwa Naduvalo.

Fiji will play New Zealand in their first pool match then take on Ireland before meeting South Africa in their final pool match.

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Comments on RugbyPass

Cantab 13 hours 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 13 hours 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 13 hours 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 13 hours 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 14 hours 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 14 hours 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 14 hours 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 14 hours 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 14 hours ago

Geoff Parling returns to Leicester as head coach

Hooray

0 Go to comments

Carlos 15 hours 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 15 hours 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 15 hours ago

Leinster cleanse palette with record URC scoreline against Zebre

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0 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 15 hours 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 15 hours 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 15 hours 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 15 hours 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 15 hours 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 15 hours ago

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

👍