INTERNATIONAL media labelled him as the Fijian rugby star with the most crafty offload at HSBC World Rugby Sevens series.
Just as it looked like gentle giant Pio Tuwai was going to be brought to the ground, he came up with a reverse, flick, out-the-back-door, no-look off-load.
The pass enabled team-mate Jerry Tuwai to score against a befuddled English defence at the Hong Kong Sevens.
More than a year after losing the love of his life, Vodafone Fiji 7s star Pio returned to one of his favourite hunting grounds-a move he said was merely to make his two daughters Makirina and Joyce Tuwai proud.
His wife, the late Irinieta Sadria fought an illness that eventually proved too strong for her.
She had given Tuwai her blessings, urging her husband to go on and represent the country at the mecca of sevens. She understood and accepted his passion for the game. She passed away in May 2014. Tuwai was instrumental for Fiji in their 2013 Dubai 7s win and his outrageous ‘back pass’ to Emosi Mulevoro against New Zealand in the semi-finals was rated the best try of that 2015 episode.
The Fiji Times reported this month that the talented forward said his two daughters had been his pillar of strength and he played for them every time he wore the national jumper. “My two daughters are the ones who inspire me to play better,” said Tuwai.
“It’s their support that motivates me to do well and I also thank my parents for their continued support.
“I am in top shape and I am looking forward to make them proud.”
Tuwai’s mum, Lusia Ratulevu, said the two girls always looked forward to see their dad in action.
And their dad never failed to let them down by calling them every day while the team is on tour.
Pio, who returned with the team from the last leg of the HSBC series yesterday, misses his two daughters when he’s away on tour
Tuwai said he had trained hard to win his spot back in the team and would give his best to make his two angels proud, likewise his loved ones and the people of Fiji as a whole.
The Votua, Ba, native had always played a huge role in the front line of the team.
