A FAMILIAR name is making waves at the 50th Fiji Bitter Marist Sevens.
Playmaker Joshua Tuisova, 23, of Ba River is leading his team with determination as they eye a strong run into the elimination rounds.
Named after his cousin and Flying Fijians centre Josua Tuisova, the young playmaker is being hailed as the next international rugby star from Votua village by his cousin, Filipo Nakosi.
Nakosi is the older brother of Josua Tuisova. “There are so many names in this team who could be the next big star from Votua but my cousin Josua Tuisova named after my brother is someone promising,” Nakosi said.
Joshua last featured at the Marist 7s four years ago, playing for the Ba River U21 team which finished runners-up to Dominion Brothers.
Rewriting that experience is now high on the Votua lad’s mind, who currently plays fullback for Karaka Rugby Club in New Zealand.
“We have managed ourselves well so far in the tournament. We have learned from our mistakes and we are confident of a good outing in the elimination rounds,” he said.
When asked about managing the expectations of living up to his namesake’s reputation while carving out his own rugby destiny, he replied: “Just staying humble, being low key, keep looking forward and, like my cousins who have made their names in rugby, learn from my mistakes because after every struggle something good awaits me.”
Looking at their results when this edition went to press, Ba River had won all their pool games but lost their bonus round match to Navy and were set to progress to the elimination rounds.
