Flyer Tuisova Vows To Lift Game

Burly national rugby wing­er Josua Tuisova says he is lifting up his game as he eyes a spot in the Vodafone Fly­ing Fijians line-up against Aus­tralia A on Saturday at Church­ill Park.

Nicknamed The Bus for his bursting runs on the wings, Tu­isova after watching the Vinaya Habosi and Jiuta Wainiqolo com­bination against Tonga in their Pacific Nations Cup match says that he needs to lift hi game.

“I watched them on Saturday and I must say that they were awe­some, they were good; I am going to lift my game,” Tuisova said.

“Getting a game now is not going to be easy, coach has done good in combining Drua players with us who have been playing top rugby overseas,” he said.

“Every player is working hard to earn a spot and I am working hard to get mine. This is good competition. It is pushing every­one to work hard.”

Last Saturday debutant Habosi and Toulon’s Wainiqolo’s dis­played stunning rugby in their 36-0 win against a much praised Tonga side.

“It’s been almost three years, I’m grateful to be selected for the PNC,” he said.

Tuisova, 28, started his career playing for top local 7’s side be­fore joining Westfield Barbarians; by July 2013 he captured the at­tention of the Toulon boss and was signed by the club for a four year deal where he played in the France Top 14.

Tuisova was part of the Fiji team to the 2016 Summer Olym­pics which won Gold at Rio.

He later made his debut for the Flying Fijians against Scotland in 2017 at ANZ Stadium, Suva and since then has played eight caps for Fiji.

The hard to stop runner starred for Lyon when they won their first European title last month.

Lyon beat Toulon 30-12 in the Challenge Cup final at the Stade Velodrome.

Tuisova had time and again bro­ken through the Toulon defence to set-up his team-mates.

In the second PNC round this Saturday, Flying Fijians will play Australia A at 3:30pm while Sa­moa and Tonga will play at 12pm at Churchill Park, Lautoka.

Feedback: sereana.salalo@fijisun.com.fj