Tragedy in Fiji’s World Cup coup
Rugby star misses funeral of his seven-year-old son
October 3rd, 2023, 6:05 p.m
Fijian center Josua Tuisova is struck by tragedy just hours before his team’s victory at the Rugby World Cup: he learns of the death of his seven-year-old son. But the professional stays with his team and doesn’t travel to the funeral.
Rugby star Josua Tuisova missed the funeral of his seven-year-old son because of the World Cup in France. According to a media report in his home country, the 2016 Olympic champion decided to stay with his team despite the bereavement. Son Tito died last week after a long illness and was buried this Tuesday.
“Jos has respectfully asked that we not talk about it,” Fiji national coach Simon Raiwalui said at a press conference, “so it will not be discussed but will remain private.”
Tuisova (29) was named “Man of the Match” in the surprising success in the group game against Australia (22:15). He is said to have found out about his son’s death from his father shortly before the third group game against Georgia (17:12) last Saturday. In the game he helped turn a 0-9 deficit into the victory needed to advance to the quarter-finals. Shortly before the end of the game he received a yellow card and had to leave the field.
The death of Tuisova’s son Tito was announced in a statement in Fiji. “It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of our beloved Tito Micgabraph Donzel Ratulevu,” it said. “He was the son of Mr Josua Tuisova and Mrs Katarina Ladoge Ramoce. Affectionately known as ‘Tito’, he passed away peacefully at Lautoka Hospital after a long battle with a debilitating illness.”
Fiji only needs one point in the final duel with the winless team from Portugal on Sunday (9 p.m./ProSiebenMaxx) (Australia would only advance without a bonus point if Fiji were to lose) in order to finish behind Wales in Group C at the expense of two-time world champions Australia to move into the knockout round. The islanders have only managed this in 1987 and 2007. Fiji would probably face England in the quarter-finals.