Ilaitia Tuisese Snr was inducted into the Rugby Hall of Fame on Friday 8th February 2019. Upon receiving his award he said the award was in memory of his colleagues, most of whom have now passed away. He reminisced about the era when all they played for was “God and Country.”
Ratu Ilaitia Tuisese Snr amongst the last highly accomplished living pioneers of Fiji Rugby. He started his international career against Wales on June 25, 1969. He was an instrumental member of the Fiji team that beat the British and Irish Lions on August 16, 1977. He also captained the Fiji team in their inaugural Hong Kong Rugby Sevens win in 1977. Hong Kong 7s legend Bob Lloyd when asked about his memory of the tournament said “I remember a giant Fijian called Tuisese, with enormus feet and pace to burn…”
After his distinguished playing career, Tuisese coached the Fiji team and mentored many great rugby players. Tuisese is credited by Waisale Serevi in the book Waisale Serevi: King of Sevens by Nic Darveniza as the person who gave him his first break into international rugby when in 1988 Tuisese, against the initial displeasure of FRU, insisted and took with him the 19-year-old Serevi to Wellington New Zealand AGC Rugby Competition. This was Serevi’s first time overseas and “cemented” his desire “belief” that Rugby was going to be his calling in life. It was also before this first trip overseas that the famous story which Serevi has retold on numerous occasions & has guided him throughout his life “Be Serevi when you go and Serevi when you come back” & “always respect everyone in the land you visit.”
Tuisese also served on the Board of Fiji Rugby Union (FRU) & was a parliamentarian in the Fiji Government from 2000 – 2006.
Career Highlights
Fiji vs Tonga clean sweep
Fiji upset British & Irish Lions 1977
Hong Kong Sevens Winner as Captain 1977
Coach National Fiji Rugby Team
Board Member Fiji Rugby Union FRU
Suva Colts 1972
Fiji vs Wales 1969
Fiji vs England 1973
“I knew all along that we were great at playing 7s rugby because we had the raw talent and the ‘gift’ provided by the Almighty, and all we needed to do was feel ready, commit ourselves and make sure we do the right thing!”
~Ratu Ilaitia Tuisese (Captain of the Fiji 7s team to win the first Hong-Kong 7s title for Fiji, which laid the foundation of today’s success).
source