Fiji star Josua Tuisova misses son's funeral to remain at Rugby World Cup

Fiji star Josua Tuisova will continue to represent his country at the Rugby World Cup despite learning of his seven-year-old son’s death last weekend

KEY PLAYER: Fiji's Josua Tuisova scores a try during the Rugby World Cup Pool C match against Australia at the Stade Geoffroy Guichard in Saint-Etienne. Pic: AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard

Tue, 03 Oct, 2023 - 10:31

Cian Locke

Fiji star Josua Tuisova will continue to represent his country at the Rugby World Cup despite learning of his seven-year-old son’s death last weekend.

Tuisova was informed of his son Tito's death following a long illness hours before Fiji's dramatic 17-12 win over Georgia on Saturday.

The Racing 92 centre played 79 minutes of the game as he helped them come back from 9-0 down until he was yellow carded late on.

Fiji are on the verge of reaching the knockout stages for only the third time in their history and the first time since 2007.

They need to take one point from their final Pool C game against Portugal on Sunday to book a likely quarter-final clash with England.

Fijian website Fiji Village have reported that Tuisova has said he won’t return home from the World Cup and missed his son’s funeral on Tuesday to stay as part of head coach Simon Raiwalui’s squad.

Tuisova has played a vital role in Fiji's performances at the World Cup, with the 29-year-old scoring a try and being named as the man-of-the-match in their stunning 22-15 win over Australia.