Northern Edition

Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

'Earn my stripes': Lote Tuqiri's cousin ready to forge his own legacy

Photo credit: supplied by Fijian Drua/Kara Tavi

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.

ADVERTISEMENT

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.

Video Spacer

Video Spacer

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.

ADVERTISEMENT

“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.”

ADVERTISEMENT

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.

Related

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.

“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.

ADVERTISEMENT

LIVE

{{item.title}}

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

0 Comments
Be the first to comment...

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

O
Oh no, not him again? 2 hours ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

Okay, so we blew it big time on Saturday. So rather than repeating what most people have all ready said, what do I want to see from Borthwick going forward?


Let's keep Marcus Smith on the pitch if he's fit and playing well. I was really pleased with his goal kicking. It used to be his weakness. I feel sympathy for George Ford who hadn't kicked all match and then had a kick to win the game. You hear pundits and commentators commend kickers who have come off the bench and pulled that off. Its not easy. If Steve B continues to substitute players with no clear reason then he is going to get criticised.


On paper I thought England would beat NZ if they played to their potential and didn't show NZ too much respect. Okay, the off the ball tackles certainly stopped England scoring tries, but I would have liked to see more smashing over gainlines and less kicking for position. Yes, I also know it's the Springbok endorsed world cup double winning formula but the Kiwi defence isn't the Bok defence, is it. If you have the power to put Smith on the front foot then why muzzle him? I guess what I'm saying is back, yourself. Why give the momentum to a team like NZ? Why feed the beast? Don't give the ball to NZ. Well d'uh.


Our scrum is a long term weakness. If you are going to play Itoje then he needs an ogre next door and a decent front row. Where is our third world class lock? Where are are realible front row bench replacements? The England scrum has been flakey for a while now. It blows hot and cold. Our front five bench is not world class.


On the positive side I love our starting backrow right now. I'd like to see them stick together through to the next world cup.


Anyway, there is always another Saturday.

7 Go to comments
C
CO 2 hours ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

Robertson is more a manager of coaches than a coach so it comes down to intent of outcomes at a high level. I like his intent, I like the fact his Allblacks are really driving the outcomes however as he's pointed out the high error rates are not test level and their control of the game is driving both wins and losses. England didn't have to play a lot of rugby, they made far fewer mistakes and were extremely unlucky not to win.


In fact the English team were very early in their season and should've been comfortably beaten by an Allblacks team that had played multiple tests together.


Razor has himself recognised that to be the best they'll have to sort out the crisis levels of mistakes that have really increased since the first two tests against England.


Early tackles were a classic example of hyper enthusiasm to not give an inch, that passion that Razor has achieved is going to be formidable once the unforced errors are eliminated.


That's his secret, he's already rebuilt the passion and that's the most important aspect, its inevitable that he'll now eradicate the unforced errors. When that happens a fellow tier one nation is going to get thrashed. I don't think it will be until 2025 though.


The Allblacks will lose both tests against Ireland and France if they play high error rates rugby like they did against England.


To get the unforced errors under control he's going to be needing to handover the number eight role to Sititi and reset expectations of what loose forwards do. Establish a clear distinction with a large, swarthy lineout jumper at six that is a feared runner and dominant tackler and a turnover specialist at seven that is abrasive in contact. He'll then need to build depth behind the three starters and ruthlessly select for that group to be peaking in 2027 in hit Australian conditions on firm, dry grounds.


It's going to help him that Savea is shifting to the worst super rugby franchise where he's going to struggle behind a beaten pack every week.


The under performing loose forward trio is the key driver of the high error rates and unacceptable turn overs due to awol link work. Sititi is looking like he's superman compared to his openside and eight.


At this late stage in the season they shouldn't be operating with just the one outstanding loose forward out of four selected for the English test. That's an abject failure but I think Robertson's sacrificing link quality on purpose to build passion amongst the junior Allblacks as they see the reverential treatment the old warhorses are receiving for their long term hard graft.


It's unfortunately losing test matches and making what should be comfortable wins into nail biters but it's early in the world cup cycle so perhaps it's a sacrifice worth making.


However if this was F1 then Sam Cane would be Riccardo and Ardie would be heading into Perez territory so the loose forwards desperately need revitalisation through a rebuild over the next season to complement the formidable tight five.

28 Go to comments
LONG READ
LONG READ The joy, spirit and obstacles of the rugby pilgrim The joy, spirit and obstacles of the rugby pilgrim
Search