Jerry Tuwai and Fiji were overrun by New Zealand in the Cup semi finals. Photo: Mike Lee - KLC fotos for World Rugby
The world of sevens rugby might not see Fijian sevens magician Jerry Tuwai on the international sevens circuit again.
Tuwai, who is the only Fijian to won two Olympic Games gold medals, is now officially out of the Fiji sevens rugby squad building up for the Olympic Games later this year in Paris.
The national rugby icon has been given an ultimatum by coach Ben Gollings: play in local tournaments in Fiji and prove he still has what it takes to compete at the international level.
Tuwai has since responded in an open statement on his official Facebook page, saying he has proven himself and that Gollings does not have what it takes to handle to lead the Fiji 7s team.
The Fiji Rugby Union, meanwhile, had remained silent on the duo's public statements.
FRU Trustees Board chairman Peter Mazey had told RNZ Pacific last December that Tuwai was out of the sevens squad and is been earmarked to assist with the Fijians sevens team.
In his statement on Saturday, Tuwai said he did not have anything else to prove.
"The excuse they said for me to prove myself in the local tournaments. Nearly a decade of international tournaments and awards and trophies and championships is not enough?
"I have played under great leaders and I had the honour in leading our warriors into battle. I don't like doing a lot of talking but I have to defend my honour. I am still happy, I am still cheering. I still have Fiji in my heart. Go Fiji Go.
"The thing I am trying to say is that I am out of the programme because something I did that will benefit the team."
He said Gollings, whose win for Fiji so far since he took over from Gareth Baber as Fijian coach has been the Sevens Rugby World Cup title in 2022, was out of depth.
"He (Gollings) is a good man and great human being but the task that is given to him is more than he can handle," Tuwai said.
Tuwai last competed at the London 7s in May 2023.
He took time out of rugby to set up and run his boxing promotion business in Fiji.
RNZ Pacific has sent questions to Tuwai on whether he still wants to be at the Olympic Games as a player.
Fiji's Jerry Tuwai breaks through the France defence in Paris. Photo: Mike Lee - KLC fotos for World Rugby
Coach gives ultimatum
Gollings told local media in Suva last week that while the former Fijian captain was a world-class player he still needs to prove his current form at a local tournament.
"Tuwai is a world-class player but as of right now, he isn't part of the team in any way," Gollings said.
"However, he is a world-class player and the selection is always open for him. All he must do is prove that he still has what it takes to compete at international level again.
"If he competes at any local tournament this year, we will surely be out watching to see if he still can compete."
Gollings team is currently joint second placed with South Africa on the HSBC World Sevens Series, following the Dubai and Capetown tournaments in December.
Gollings told the media in Sigatoka this week that he and the team are focusing on the upcoming Perth 7s tournament at the end of this month.
He says the team is moving on despite the issues with Tuwai and added they were building on what they have gone through so far.
"Rome wasn't built in a day, so we can't be winning tournaments and games all the time," he told The Fiji Times at Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka on Monday.
The Fiji team is currently training to play at the Coral Coast 7s in Sigatoka on January 19-20.
"Sometimes we have to go through the valleys and dark times so that we can work on ourselves and stay focused on our goal," Gollings said.
"This is a very important year for us, so we want to get it started on a high. Winning the first tournament of the season, which is the Perth 7s, is our next task and the boys are looking forward to competing."
The former English sevens star said he understands the importance of defending the Olympic Games medal, which Fiji won in 2016 and defended in 2020.
"We know it will not be easy as we go through the season toward the Olympics as all the teams out there will be looking to beat Fiji.
"Defending the Olympic title as back to back champions comes with its own set of challenges."
Gollings told the media in Fiji that he is eyeing some overseas based players and some Fijian Drua players to be included in the sevens squad.
Fiji 7s coach Ben Gollings in the gym with some of the national squad. Photo: Fiji
Raiwalui applauds Tuwai
Meanwhile, former Flying Fijians captain and coach Simon Raiwalui has joined the discussions on Tuwai's future with the Fiji sevens team, applauding the player in a tweet on X (formerly Twitter).
Raiwalui, who coached Fiji to the quarterfinals at the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France, said Tuwai will go down as one of Fiji's greatest rugby sons.
"Jerry…regardless of what happens in the next 12 months, you will go down as one of Fiji Rugby's greatest sons…what you have done for the game and your achievements on the field simply cannot be measured, you have nothing to defend…it is us that owes you a debt of gratitude," he wrote on X.
Players must rise - Serevi
In another development, former sevens captain Waisale Serevi said the Fijian sevens players must rise above what they are currently showing and believe in themselves if they are to improve.
He told RNZ Pacific that he knows the players are taking it hard but they will get better over time.
"They have been under a lot of pressure and I know the feeling. They will get better if they believe in themselves and do the hard work," Serevi said.
Serevi said the players are individually talented and will need to combine that with what Gollings is coaching them to play with.
The former world sevens player believes the team can do well in Perth, the next tournament on the HSBC Sevens World Series.
