TWO-time Olympian and former Fiji 7s player, Jerry Tuwai expressed his condolences to his former teammate, Osea Kolinisau following the passing of his father, reverend Tuikoro Kolinisau.
His late father, the founder of the Kingdom Ambassador International Fellowship passed away on February 14, with his funeral service held at the Vodafone Arena in Suva on Friday.
His influence extended beyond his family, touching the lives of many within the Fijian rugby community including Tuwai.
Speaking to The Fiji Times, Tuwai reflected on his deep connection with Osea, recalling how the former Fiji 7s skipper guided him during his early days in the national 7s team.
“Oscar (Osea) was one of my mentors when I first joined the team. I remember standing beside him in the tunnel at the Gold Coast 7s in 2014 in my debut game against Scotland. He told me, ‘Jerry, this is your time,’ and that kind of motivation stuck with me,” Tuwai said.
Beyond their bond on the field, Tuwai highlighted Tuikoro’s influence on the players, describing him as a father figure.
“He was always there for us, offering prayers and encouragement. He played a big role in shaping Oscar into the leader he became for us.”
As Osea mourns his father’s passing, Tuwai expressed his support and admiration for the former captain.
“Osea is a fighter. My condolences to him and his family. We all respect and love him, and we pray for strength during this difficult time,” he said.