As the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua gear up for the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season, prop Emosi Tuqiri is laser-focused on improving his fitness to meet the demands of the fast-paced competition.
“For me, this pre-season is about getting leaner,” Tuqiri said.
“The Super Rugby game is getting a lot faster. For most of us big boys, we needed to drop a few kilos to keep up with the pace and become fitter so we can compete against some of these big teams.”
The Namatakula, Nadroga native brings a wealth of experience to the Drua front row. A cousin of former Australian rugby star Lote Tuqiri, Emosi has built a strong rugby résumé, having been part of the Queensland Reds Academy and GPS Rugby in Brisbane in 2017.
He later represented Fiji in the 2019 Under-20 Rugby Trophy in Romania, a campaign that saw Fiji crowned champions.
Tuqiri is benefiting from the fresh perspective brought by the Drua’s new forwards coach, Chris Gibbes, who previously worked with the Hurricanes in New Zealand.
“Coach Gibbes has come in with a lot of experience and new ideas,” Tuqiri noted.
“Last year, we learned a lot, and now it’s a fresh start for a big season. I’m looking forward to learning more and building on what we’ve done.”
The Drua squad, featuring several of Tuqiri’s former U20 teammates such as Tevita Ikanivere, Caleb Muntz, and Simione Kuruvoli, is looking to make a stronger impact next season. Tuqiri is determined to play his part in ensuring the Drua’s forward pack not only holds its ground but dominates competition.
With a gruelling season ahead, Tuqiri’s dedication to becoming leaner and fitter signals his readiness to embrace the challenge. As he puts it, “We’re all pushing ourselves to be better, and I can’t wait to run out with the team”.
