Ratu Ilaitia, a FRU Hall of Famer was among the pioneers of sevens rugby in the country. He led the Fiji 7s team as a player in 1977 to the Hong Kong 7s tournament where they won it for the first time.
The late Ratu Ilaitia Tuisese (Snr) during his FRU life member induction in 2019.
The Fiji rugby fraternity has lost one of its legend, mentor; former national captain, head coach and administrator Ratu Ilaitia Tuisese (Snr).
The former Fiji Rugby Union board member passed away last Saturday at their Nausori home following a short illness. His demise was confirmed by the family. He was 77.
Ratu Ilaitia was an all-rounder- not only he excelled in sports and its administration, he also contributed immensely in nation building – he was Minister for Regional Development and also Multi-Ethnic Affairs in the interim government in 2000 and was appointed Minister for Agriculture, Sugar, and Land Resettlement during the 2001 general elections.
Ratu Ilaitia, a FRU Hall of Famer was among the pioneers of sevens rugby in the country. He led the Fiji 7s team as a player in 1977 to the Hong Kong 7s tournament where they won it for the first time. He went back to Hong Kong in 1980 as coach and again they won the Cup final.
Former team-mate Pio Bosco Tikoisuva shared that the Serea, Naitasiri, native was a gentleman on and off the field.
Both men played for the Fiji team that defeated the British Lions 25-21 in Suva in 1977 before they were inducted together as FRU Life Members in April 2019.
“He was an expert at lineouts, always showed good sportsmanship,” Tikoisuva said.
“We’ve lost a respected and humble man.
“He was one of the great players during our time, we toured England together in the 1970s where we defeated the British Barbarians. Our Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka was also part of that team.”
Ratu Ilaitia made his international debut in 15s on June 25, 1969 where they lost 31-11.
FRU general manager operations and development Sale Sorovaki said: “Being an educated man and a great player, he often gives us advice and share his opinion on how things could be done better.
“We’ve just lost a Flying Fijian legend.”
Social Democratic Liberal Party (SODELPA) secretary Viliame Takayawa indicated that Ratu Ilaitia was an ardent supporter of the party. He was also instrumental in the Laisenia Qarase government which initiated the “buy back scheme” of land.
“It is a big loss in terms of institutional knowledge from the perspective of land management and development for indigenous.”
Ratu Ilaitia was the chairman of the Fiji SUN board during his passing. He is survived by his wife Adi Sokoveti Raditora Tuisese, children and grandchildren.
Funeral arrangements will be confirmed soon.
Feedback: sereana.salalo@fijisun.com.fj
