'Earn my stripes': Lote Tuqiri's cousin ready to forge his own legacy
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.
Named to start at loosehead prop for Saturdayโs 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.
While thereโs plenty of excitement and anticipation ahead of his debut, thereโs also no shying away from the pressure of doing the โfamily name proud.โ
But Tuqiri isnโt feeling the heat. Heโs ready.
In the week leading up to his Super Rugby debut, Tuqiri told RugbyPass that heโs eager to โmake a name for myself.โ
โItโs almost a blessing in disguise where itโs pressure but you can learn from what theyโve done and their mistakes,โ Tuqiri said.
โIt doesnโt mean that Iโm not going to make mistakes myself but Iโm probably just aware not to have made as many.
The two newest Super Rugby franchises meet in the opening round on Saturday afternoon. #MOAvFIJ pic.twitter.com/aorPAqc0Bw
โ RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) February 23, 2023
โTheyโve been a massive part of the journey in dealing with that pressure.
โFor me, itโs not so much the pressure, rugby has always been something that has been in the family and Iโve loved so I focus more on the fun and just enjoying it.
โIโve even spoken to Lote too. Heโs obviously been my idol growing up as a kid.
โHeโs taught me a lot and heโs done our family name proud and full respect to everything heโs done. Heโs done almost everything you can do in both codes.
โHe said itโs my turn now to continue that legacy but not even just the last name (but) to make a name for myselfโฆ earn my stripes.โ
Heralded as a schoolboy sensation at Brisbaneโs 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 โ a goal kicking prop.
Clearly, the rising star had potential โ it was just up to him to make the most of it.
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 โquite overweight.โ 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, โit was all meant to happen.โ
โI believe in everything happens for a reason and my timing is not so much, itโs Godโs timing,โ he added.
โThinking back now itโs like f*** what a journey itโs been, itโs been two years with back-to-back injuries, going to be making my debut this weekend for my home country.
Bula vinaka ๐ซ๐ฏ.
Here is your Swire Shipping Fijian Drua team for our season opener vs Moana Pasifika
Congratulations to our debutants Emosi Tuqiri and Iosefo Masi and potential debutants Elia Canakaivata and Taniela Rakuro
Vinaka for your support and prayers, Viti. ๐ pic.twitter.com/gfkVUEX6ms
โ Fijian Drua (@Fijian_Drua) February 24, 2023
โItโs almost full circle and pretty grateful.โ
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.