Emosi Tuqiri comes from a family of household rugby names, who hail from the famous Namatakula Village in Nadroga.
From uncle Lote Tuqiri and cousins Nemani Nadalo, Chris Kuridrani and Tevita Kuridrani, have all received international recognition as outstanding rugby players.
The 22-year-old Emosi is now out to make his name on the world stage, getting his big break to be part of the Flying Fijians Rugby World Cup campaign in France.
He arrived in Bordeaux last week as an injury replacement to prop Jone Koroiduadua. He said growing up he had gotten used to having the Tuqiri surname synonymous with rugby greatness.
“There’s not so much pressure, I have pretty much dealt with this my whole life and just learned to be myself. Just be myself and do what I can for the team,” the Fijian Drua prop forward said.
“I know I’ve got family and cousins (who are rugby stars) and we’re all different, and I’m the first one in the forwards to have made it professional.
“So yeah, now I’m just doing it myself and trying to be my own version.”
Tuqiri, who lives in Brisbane, Australia, was in Fiji when he received the call up to the Fiji team. He said he received calls from his cousins and family who congratulated him on his new assignment.
“I was actually talking to Nemani the other day and he was proud and happy, told me to enjoy every moment. He said to soak it up put your head down and learn what you can.”
