Former Flying Fijian Star Fullback Laid To Rest

The Flying Fijian fullback who was known as one of our brave warriors during the height of his sporting career is no longer with us today.

Ratu Peceli Ro Seru Tuisese, who held the chiefly title of the Roko Tui Waimaro passed away, last Sunday.

Fondly known as Seru Tuisese, he was in the Flying Fijians squad that toured the Northern Hemi­sphere for the first time in 1964.

Donning the No.15 jumper, Tu­isese was known for his speed and kicking skills that shocked the Wales XVs team in Cardiff during their first encounter.

The Flying Fijians mesmerising performance in 1964 set the plat­form for our end of the year tour to Europe.

The historic clash took place on September 26, 1964 in Cardiff, re­cording one of the biggest turnout of 50,000 spectators at that time.

The Welsh spectators were kept on the edge of their seats when the Suliasi Cavu captained- side lost 28-22.

However, what remained a mys­tery to the Welsh and Fijian sup­porters was how the ball exploded in the air, when Tuisese kicked the ball in an up and under kicking style during an attack play.

This forced the referee to call for time out when the Welsh players received a punctured ball inside their own territory.

That incident is shared from one generation to the next. It is deemed as an impossible incident that oc­curs during an international rug­by competition.

Tuisese made his Test debut on August 2, 1958, when Fiji beat Tonga 17-14 in Nuku’alofa and had eight Test caps.

A delegation from the Fiji Rugby Union led by National Operations manager Sale Sorovaki presented their i-reguregu to the family on Wednesday night.

Tuisese is one of the 18 men from Serea Village in Waimaro, Naitasi­ri that have represented the Flying Fijians.

His son Ratu Waisake also fol­lowed his footsteps and did his country proud.

The late Roko Tui Waimaro will be laid to rest in Serea today.

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