Josaia Raisuqe's family mourn rugby hero and father-to-be

Tevita Raisuqe, 60, says the sudden loss of his son, Josaia, in a tragic accident far from home is the most unbearable pain a father can endure.

Speaking from his family home in Lutu, Wainibuka, the heartbroken father described how the family was left in pieces upon receiving the devastating news on Thursday.

Josaia Raisuqe, winger for French rugby club Castres and a former Fiji 7s star, died at the age of 30 following an incident at a level railway crossing in France on May 8.

While the exact circumstances are still being confirmed, reports say he was struck by a train while on his way to training that morning.

His Castres squad was immediately released from training, and their Top 14 clash with Clermont Auvergne was postponed in the wake of the tragedy.

But for his family back in Fiji, the loss is not just national, it is deeply personal.

Father tells

“The last time we spoke was Wednesday night,” Mr Raisuqe recalled.

“I saw him online and called. We talked for nearly three hours. He was happy, relaxed. I didn’t know it would be the last time I’d hear his voice.”

He paused.

“I am so shattered. My son is gone. Just like that.”

Josaia, Mr Raisuqe shared, had just found out he was going to be a father himself. His partner is pregnant.

“He was so excited. He had dreams, plans. He was looking forward to becoming a dad,” the grieving father said, holding back tears.

Describing Josaia as a “humble and happy boy,” he said his son never said no when his family, church, or village needed him.

“He helped everyone. He respected everyone. He never raised his voice to us, never disobeyed. He was a good man.”

Josaia’s journey began in Lutu District School, then continued at Lomaivuna and Lelean Memorial School.

After Lomaivuna, a relative, then a principal at Lelean, encouraged him to continue his education there.

Couple Tevita and Mereani Raisuqe.

“He told me he wanted to come home and farm so he could earn enough to buy rugby gear. That’s how serious he was about the game.”

From school competitions to the provincial rugby scene, his natural talent caught the attention of scouts. He played for Tailevu and then Nadroga, before heading to Australia with fellow Fijian Bill Kikau to try his hand at rugby league.

But he soon returned, feeling union was where his heart belonged.

It was at the Coral Coast Sevens that Ben Ryan, then coach of the Fiji 7s team, spotted him.

“He called him up, and that’s when his national journey began. His debut in Hong Kong was unforgettable,” Mr Raisuqe said.

“He lit up the pitch.”

As a father, he made sure to attend every match he could.

“He always said it encouraged him to see us in the stands.”

Now, he says, sleep doesn’t come. The pain is too raw. Too deep.

Mother tells

“It is painful. So, so painful,” his mother, Mereani shared through tears.

“Whenever he came home to Fiji, the first place he went was the village. He would call everyone to the house, just to talk, to laugh, to be with family. He never disrespected us. He had so much love for his elders. We miss him so much.”

Remembering a star

Former coach Ben Ryan paid tribute to Josaia’s infectious joy and talent.

“Such sad news to hear of Josaia Raisuqe’s sudden passing,” he said.

“I remember the smile on his face when we selected him for his debut at the Hong Kong Sevens. He was full of energy and full of life. Rest in peace, turaga.”

Former coach Xavier Péméja echoed the sentiment: “It’s incredibly violent. Josaia was absolutely adorable — always the first to arrive at training, no matter the weather. On the field, he had moments of sheer brilliance. He was feared by opponents and loved by us.”

Josaia’s powerful performances earned him a move to Top 14 side Stade Français after being spotted during the World Rugby Sevens Series.

He later joined Castres and had recently signed with Brive for the upcoming season.

Club mourns a brother

“He was a radiant young man on and off the pitch,” said Castres Olympique president Pierre-Yves Revol.

“He was a pillar of the Fijian community at our club.”

Josaia had made seven appearances for Castres this season, his last just days before his passing.

France’s National Rugby League confirmed all Top 14 and second-tier matches this weekend would include tributes in his honour. Today’s match between Castres and Clermont has been officially postponed.

Details of the funeral are yet to be finalised.

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