Josua Tuisova Ratulevu (born 4 February 1994) is a Fijian rugby union player. A wing or centre, he currently plays for Racing 92 in France's Top 14.[1] He won a gold medal in sevens as part of the Fiji team at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Known for his strong running and physical play, he is nicknamed "Human Bulldozer" and "The Bus".
 Tuisova in April 2017 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Full name | Josua Tuisova Ratulevu | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Date of birth | 4 February 1994 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Votua, Ba, Fiji | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.81 m (5 ft 11 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 113 kg (17 st 11 lb; 249 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| School | Ratu Navula College | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Notable relative(s) | Pio Tuwai (brother) Filipo Nakosi (half-brother) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Children | Tito Tuisova (deceased) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Medal record
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Career
editHe began his career in Fiji, playing sevens for Westfield Barbarians, captained by his older brother and ex-Fiji sevens player, Pio Tuwai. He made his international sevens debut for Fiji in the 2013 Wellington Sevens[2] against Scotland at rover.[3]
In July 2013, he was signed by French Top 14 club RC Toulonnais (Toulon).[4] He made his debut against Racing Métro 92 in August, and scored his first try against Bayonne.[5] In May 2015, he signed a four-year deal to stay at Toulon.[6]
He was included in Fiji's squad for the 2023 World Cup in France. He played on in the tournament until Fiji's exit in the quarterfinals, despite tragedy striking him during the pool stage when his son died.
Personal life
editOn 30 September 2023, Tuisova's seven year old son Tito died after a long illness, hours before he was to partake in Fiji's 2023 World Cup match against Georgia.[7] Despite this, Tuisova decided to continue playing on and missed his son's funeral.[8]
Honours
edit- Winner of the 2013–14 Top 14
- Winner of the 2013–14 Heineken Cup
- Winner of the 2014–15 ERC Cup
- Olympic Gold Medallist for Fiji sevens at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
References
edit- ^ "Josua Tuisova Profile". Itsrugby.fr. Retrieved 3 January 2014.
- ^ "Only the best: Tuisova". Retrieved 2 January 2014.
- ^ "Bad start for Tuisova – Fiji Times Online". Retrieved 2 January 2014.
- ^ "From Ba to Toulon – Fijisun.com.fj". Retrieved 2 January 2014.
- ^ "Toulon return to top, Williams yellow-carded on debut". Retrieved 2 January 2014.
- ^ "The curious case of Napolioni Nalaga". Planet Rugby. 27 May 2015. Archived from the original on 28 May 2015. Retrieved 28 May 2015.
- ^ "Fiji's Josua Tuisova missed young son's funeral to ensure country's World Cup quarter-final dream".
- ^ "Fiji pay tribute to strength and sacrifice of grieving Josua Tuisova".
External links
edit- Josua Tuisova at the World Rugby Men's Sevens Series
- Josua Tuisova at ESPNscrum
- Josua Tuisova at ItsRugby.co.uk
- Josua Tuisova at Olympedia
- Josua Tuisova at Olympics at Sports-Reference.com (archived)
- Lyon OU profile
- ERC Rugby profile
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