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, absent from the squad since the London 7s in May 2023, now has the opportunity to earn a spot in the team aiming for a third consecutive Olympic gold in Paris this summer.
Included in new coach Osea Kolinisau’s squad for Madrid, the 35-year-old Tuwai has risen to the challenge of regaining the fitness required to join the team in their quest to win the HSBC title in the competition’s new format.
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.
