Former Flying Fijians captain, Ilaitia Tuisese Snr, passes away at 77

Former Flying Fijians captain and FRU Board member Ilaitia Tuisese Snr has died at the age of 77.

This has been confirmed to fijivillage News by the family.

Tuisese Snr passed away last Saturday at his home in Nausori after a short illness.

Tuisese Snr is a rugby legend as he represented Fiji when they played Wales in Suva in 1969 and was also part of the team that stunned the rugby world when they beat the British & Irish Lions 25-21 at Buckhurst Park, Suva, in 1977.

He was the first captain of Fiji’s pioneering national 7s team that played in the Hong Kong 7s tournament in 1977, leading them to win the title.

Recognising his contribution to the development of rugby in the country, Tuisese Snr was inducted into the Fiji Rugby Hall of Fame in February 2019.

He became a lifetime member of the Fiji Rugby Union in April of that year, and was honored as an Officer of the Order of Fiji the following year.

Meanwhile, former Flying Fijians teammate and Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka says he had the privilege of playing alongside Ilaitia Tuisese Snr as a prop forward during their national rugby team’s tour of England and Wales in 1970, which was part of the centennial celebrations of the English Rugby Football Union.

On his facebook account, Rabuka wrote that the 10th of October 1970 remains etched in his memory as they were preparing to face the British Combined Services.

He says they heard the band strike up what they thought was "Meda dau doka..." our national anthem for the first time.

Rabuka says at first, they were still busy talking and checking their spikes and boots, until he noticed Officer Cadet Alex Eastgate and Ratu Josua Rabukawaqa standing at attention, facing the flagpole.

He adds than he whispered to his teammates to stand tall and face the flag too.

The Prime Minister says he had initially thought the flag being raised was the Royal Air Force’s due to its sky-blue colour and the Union Flag in the corner.

Rabuka says he mistook the Fiji Coat of Arms for the RAF's Red, White, and Blue Roundel.

He also says it was only then that they realised they were witnessing the raising of the new Fijian flag, and hearing the anthem for the first time in that historic moment.

The Prime Minister says the referee for that day was Air Commodore Lamb, who had just months earlier flown a Cold War spy out from behind the USSR border.

He says it was an unforgettable experience, and moments like that truly last a lifetime.

Rabuka says Tuisese Snr stood strong that day, just as he did in every match and he was more than just a teammate, he was a leader, a powerhouse on the field, and a true friend off it.

He also says Tuisese Snr’s exceptional talent and unwavering commitment to the game earned him the respect of everyone who played with him and they shared many victories, including their memorable win against Oxford University, and he will forever cherish those moments.

The Prime Minister says Tuisese Snr’s legacy extends far beyond rugby; his contributions to the sport and his role in shaping the future of Fijian rugby will never be forgotten.

He adds today, we not only honour a legend but also a man whose presence will be deeply missed.

Sharing his condolence message, Rabuka says Tuisese Snr’s legacy will live on in the hearts of all who knew him and in the history of Fijian rugby.