Jerry Tuwai

Fiji's Jerry Tuwai named men's world rugby sevens player of the decade

The 2019 world player of the year beat out nine other finalists for the illustrious honour, including former Fiji teammate Samisoni Viriviri, Fiji-born New Zealand international Tomasi Cama and Samoan sevens icon Mikaele Pesamino.

The diminutive playmaker made his debut for Fiji at the 2014 Gold Coast Sevens and has gone on to win three World Series titles, an Olympic gold medal in 2016, and is a three-time world sevens player of the year nominee.

Why the World's best sevens player has knife and fork written on his boots

The Fijian sevens superstar has his eyes set on helping his country win another Olympic Games gold medal in Tokyo this year and when the tournament takes place his boots will feature those two words that are designed to remind him of the sacrifices his parents made to give him a sporting chance.

Tuwai’s father and mother scrimped and saved enough money to buy their son his first pair of rugby boots. As she handed them over Tuwai’s mother told him “ this is your knife and fork .”

Jerry Tuwai, Peter Fatialofa recognised at World Rugby Awards

It was a case of third time lucky for the 30-year-old playmaker, who was also nominated for the award in 2017 and 2018.

Tuwai was a key figure as Fiji won titles in Cape Town, Hamilton, Hong Kong, London and Paris to secure the 2018/19 World Series title, their first since 2016, and was named in the World Series 'Dream Team' for the third year running.

The Olympic gold medallist is the first Fijian player to win the award since Samisoni Viriviri in 2014.

He said Fiji's sevens success is a group effort.

Fiji's Jerry Tuwai nominated for 7s player of the year

The 30-year-old playmaker, who was named in the World Series 'Dream Team' for the third year running, was a key figure as Fiji won titles in Cape Town, Hamilton, Hong Kong, London and Paris to secure the 2018/19 World Series title, their first since 2016.

Tuwai was also nominated for the player of the year award in 2017 and 2018, losing on both occasions to USA flyer Perry Baker, but Samisoni Viriviri is the only Fijian player to win the award back in 2014.

Fiji 7s star up for award

The Olympic gold medallist is up against Perry Baker from the United States and South Africa's Rosko Specman.

All three players were a named in the Dream Team for the 2016/17 season, while American flyer Baker topped the point and try scoring tallies.

Samisoni Viriviri was the last Fijian to win the award in 2014.

The winners will be announced at the World Rugby Awards in Monte Carlo on November 26.

 

Photo: World Rugby / Martin Seras Lima Jerry Tuwai breaks free during the USA Sevens in Las Vegas.