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Fiji 7's star makes sensational switch to 15-a-side and there'll be plenty of suitors
By Chris Jones
Fijian 7s star Seremaia Tuwai is set to become the latest Olympic gold medal winner to quit the Sevens circuit and move into the 15-a side game.
The news comes following Tuwai’s 100th try helping Fiji win the Cape Town leg of the HSBC World Sevens Series to provide a fitting finale after four years in national colours following his stunning debut at the Gold Coast sevens in 2014.
Two years after helping Fiji to Olympic glory, the Fiji Sun says he is waiting for Fiji Rugby Union clearance to allow him to head to the USA where the new professional rugby competition is about to start its second year. Already making a living in the longer form of the sport are fellow Fijian sevens stars Semi Kunatani (UK), Savenaca Rawaca (France), Osea Kolinisau (USA), Viliame Mata (Scotland), Jasa Veremalua (USA), Josua Tuisova and Leone Nakarawa (France).
Besides becoming an Olympic gold medal winner the 29-year-old led his country to five sevens series titles during the 2017/18 season, including four in a row, plus a silver medal at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games and fourth place at the World Cup in San Francisco.
The loss of Tuwai, known as Jerry, is the latest blow to hit the Fiji sevens squad but while it removes vital experience, the squad continues to produce exciting new talent. Tuwai’s decision comes shortly after Super Rugby chiefs knocked back the latest attempt to have a Pacific Islands team included in that competition to help stop the drain of players from the region. As a result, Tuwai will be just the latest Fijian player to opt for a professional contract that takes him away from Fiji where his first home was in a one-room shack with corrugated-iron walls.
Growing up, Tuwai used to play rugby with plastic bottles and bundled-up T-shirts on the streets of Newtown on the outskirts of Suva and his move to 15s will help his family’s financial future. Tuwai's mother Seruwaia Vualiku told CNN previously: "I knew I wouldn't worry about food, about clothes. And Jerry did that for us; for me, my husband and my children. It's not me, it's not my husband. It's God. Because I know I didn't dream that one day Jerry will be a superstar, a rugby player like this. It was all in God's plan.
Tuwai was nominated as the Sevens Player of the Year in 2018 but lost out to American Perry Baker who retained his title and has helped the Eagles go into 2019 as the top ranked Sevens team. The current Sevens series will see the top four teams automatically qualify for the Olympic Games tournament in Japan in 2020.
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Latest Comments
I was at this match. Jordie Barrett earned his money with a massive hit to slow a connaught attack to win the math when Leinster had 14 in the last few mins. Mack Hansen had a real go at the refereeing after citing a serious head hits on Iaone and Aki.
connaught were up for this. Snyman tried a trademark dirty after, and the onnaught 4 and the onnaught pack absolutely laid into him.
Leinster hose to kick to the corner when only winning by 5 with 10 left and qith only 2 tries scored. onnaught should have punisihed them for that utter stupidity after they broke out and Leinster yellowed to stop the attack.
13 changes from last week. It seems teams are scoring about 10 points less against Leinster this year. With Neinaber in his second year, the new attack coah established, surely they will be a bigger threat in champions up? Or will the attack recgress further.
They must adopt the SA philosophy of take your 3 pointers and the bonus points will come.
connaught back line inluding Iaone, Murphy, Aki, Forde, cordero is the seond best in Ireland surely. Leinster were lucky here
Go to commentsShould have played more for England but he jumped ship just as he was breaking through.
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